A couple of birthday's ago, my sweet husband bought me a welder.  Now this isn't shocking at all - he's very thoughtful about gifts, and never misses a birthday, anniversary or Christmas - unless I make a special request for no gifts.  

Or were you shocked about the welder part?  Considering I've received a chainsaw for Valentine's Day, a table saw and mitersaw one Christmas, I'd have been more shocked to open up a bottle of perfume or jewelry.  

There was only one big problem with getting a welder as a present at that time.  I was eight months pregnant, and busy preparing for a new baby.  So I put off learning to weld until after the baby was born.  But as you all know, that's when the real work with babies begins.  So I put off learning to weld until the baby was done nursing.

Well, he's almost two now, and we've been done nursing for a couple of months.  It's time to learn to weld!!!  I'll be sharing with you soon my adventures in learning to weld - the hubs has promised to teach me and says it's "very easy".  We'll see.

In the meantime I'm ready to share with you a project that was built using my welder!

It's a modern media console!!!

You may remember it from when I posted plans for the modern white floating ledge shelf.

Or from way back when you got a sneak peek of it before I stained it Rustoleum Dark Walnut - au naturale ...

And just in case anyone was wondering what it looks like white, we went ahead and painted it too.  

Something about winter coming with less daylight, just makes me want to paint all the furniture white and bring in bright colored rugs and accessories.  That, and my kids ate spaghetti in the living room.  Enough said.

This is a really simple project to make, woodworking-wise.  But it's the metal accents that take this project over the top.  I especially love how we took scrap square tubing and cut it and screwed it to the doors for handles.  Not only was it free (and hardware can be so expensive!) but it really balances the piece too!

If you don't weld, you could take the metal diagram (below) to a metal shop and have them build the base.  My guess is it would be inexpensive - especially since you could provide them with the plans and cut list and everything!  

And if welding isn't an option, you could also just add metal casters or build a base out of wood.

The plans follow, enjoy!

XO Ana + Family