Thrift Store Metal/Wood End Table Redo

For a while now I have been eyeing all the wood and metal end tables thinking they would be a perfect addition to our new family room.  Here are a couple that caught my eye:

($350)

 ($219)

It's always about price though isn't it?  

Recently, my friend and I went to our local thrift store when I spied this beauty below.  I wasn't thinking of trying to make one similar to the ones above, but as soon as I saw this I knew I could beautify it and make it look like the ones I was drooling over. 

The best part?  It was only $6.  :)

I loved the metal crisscrossed sides.  

To freshen them up, I applied Grecian Gold Rub n Buff - 

The piece on the right shows the difference all spruced up!

I wanted the table tops to have planked wood, so I started by purchasing a sheet of this thin wood for $6.  Then I purchased poplar boards that were 2.5 inches wide, and 3/4 inches thick.

I cut the thin wood into the dimensions I needed with a jigsaw, which ended up being 15 inches wide, by 2 feet long.

After cutting my poplar boards, I attached them to the wood square with wood glue and 1/2 wire brad nails from underneath.

After staining with both "Provincial" AND "Dark Walnut" stains, I reattached the metal legs and ended up with this - 

Total cost ended up being around $50.