The Propeller Table is a distinctive furniture piece that repurposes a historic propeller from a Venezuelan ferry boat into a captivating coffee table. This propeller holds significant sentimental value, having been part of a ferry that transported trucks across a river in Venezuela. Upon the ferry's decommissioning, Eduardo's father recognized its potential and salvaged the propeller, making it a cherished family heirloom symbolizing resilience and heritage. When hec contacted me, Eduardo aspireed to breathe new life into this piece by transforming it into a beautiful table that celebrates its history and embarks on a new chapter.
I was so excited I started working on it right away!
After meticulously sanding and polishing the propeller, we revealed its natural shine, showcasing the unique "freckles" characteristic of aged bronze. Bronze, primarily composed of copper mixed with tin and other metals, naturally develops these charming spots over time, adding to its allure.
To complement the propeller's polished elegance, we embraced a minimalist design, crafting a base from walnut wood. Renowned for its durability and rich, dark hues, walnut provides a stable and aesthetically pleasing foundation. Its fine, straight grain adds a touch of sophistication, harmonizing with the propeller's industrial heritage. The propeller is securely seated into this base, and a custom wooden nut was fashioned to engage the original screw thread, effectively anchoring the glass top in place. This fusion of materials and thoughtful design not only preserves the propeller's historical essence but also transforms it into a functional art piece, bridging its storied past with contemporary craftsmanship.
The journey of this table wrapped up with a trip to pick up the glass—a simple yet striking top to complement the propeller's bold form. Before it all came together, I sanded and oiled one last time the propeller, to reveal to make sure the rich bronze underneath shined. Once ready, I carefully moved it into its new space, settling it gently at the center of the room.
Now it stands as the heart of the space, carrying a story from the Orinoco River to the Great Salt Lake. But there’s one mystery left to solve: how did this propeller ever make its way to Venezuela?
