Money for Nothing #2

[Glynne]

Rather than hijack the existing thread, I thought I'd start a fresh one.
A good friend "commissioned' me (if that's the right word) to see if I could make something from the attached: -

It is the stand of what was once an occasional table and which had considerable sentimental value to my friends wife (her Dad bought it for her and he is no longer about).
The table has long since exceeded it's best by date and as they are moving to a new house, the idea is that they could still have something to remind her of her Dad. The idea of creating things from junk was mentioned - hence "Money for Nothing".
The stand is about 500mm long and the first ideas are a large candle stick / candle holder or a table light.
I can certainly add wood, metal, plastics to make whatever but I thought I would throw the idea open and see if anyone has some inspirational ideas?
Its made of laminated oak (very well made in fact) and so if it is going to have an oil / wax / Osmo type finish it will show the different orientations of the wood.
Another possibility would be a lighthouse were I could hollow out the top and insert some windows and perhaps a LED light?
This is a serious question so no replies of "bin it" please!
Thanks for looking,
Glynne

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Another table?

 

[NazNomad]

Pepper mill?

 

[MartinCox]

How about slice down the centre to produce two equal half columns and use those as sides to a photo frame for a picture of her father. Either open top and bottom or closed using contrasting woods.

Perhaps a way to emphasise the connection between the piece and the lady’s father?

 

[whatknot]

My wife suggested putting a nice small clock on the top and a base on it to create a unique talking point

 

[angelboy]

I think that you should make a lamp out of it so that her Dad can literally, light up her life!

 

[MrTeroo]

Base on the bottom for stability, then mount a digital photo frame on the top.

She can load her photo memories of her Dad on the frame.

 

[Glynne]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
Probably like many of you, I start out with a plan but then let the wood influence me once I start to see the grain, figuring etc.
However in this case, the wood essentially determined the outcome!
The base of the table as was had whatever legs fitted with oak dowels. So the intial plan as to drill these out and perhaps have something of a lantern / lighthouse creation. Dowels not at equal 90 degree spacing and certainly not drilled at 90 degrees so that went by the bye. In the end I cut out out the middled dowelled section and made a box with just the addition of an African Blackwood finial.

I know it was laminated to start with but I didn't expect to find bark (yes bark!) in the centre of the main column. So I turned and I turned.....
The resultant table light is anything but elegant but is the best I could do with the piece of wood available. I think the phrase is "shabby chic".

My wife loves it (as she loves the programme "Money for Nothing") but unfortunately (ha!) it has to go.......
TV price, probably around £50 for the box and £150 for the lamp - mates rates, a handshake and a couple of pints.
Thank you again for the suggestions and the thread about perfection was echoing around my mind whilst trying to make a silk purse out of a sow"s ear.
PS The table is London Plane - built with Roger Berwick (Dodge) some 5 years ago.