Make three versatile side tables

You will need

SHOPPING LIST

• 21mm plywood, cut to: nine 400 x 210mm pieces (legs) sixty-three 210 x 60mm pieces (tops) • two packets 6mm x 50mm chipboard screws • one packet 8mm x 30mm chipboard screws • Alcolin Fast Set Glue • 150-grit sandpaper • wood filler

Here’s how. . .

1 Mark and cut the nine 400 x 210mm leg pieces as shown in sketch 1. Mark the position for two pilot holes 30mm in from the inner sides where the panels will be screwed together. Hold three of the planks together and screw them together with the 6mm x 50mm screws.

250 mm

Sketch 2

210 x 60mm top planks cut at a 30° angle

do it yourself

TOOLS

• cordless drill and 3mm drill bit • pencil • tape measure • circular or hand saw • plane

210 mm

60 mm

Sketch 1

150 mm

30 mm 30 mm 400 mm

PROJECT NOTES

• Ask your timber merchant to cut the vertical edges of the rectangular planks at an angle of 30°. Note that the inside and outer edge of the legs slope downwards. • The tops consist of rectangular planks screwed together, one by one, between the three legs (seven planks in each segment). • Sand the planks beforehand.

1

Tip Use one of the top planks to determine the angle for the pilot holes.

2 Glue and screw the 210 x 60mm planks between the legs, one by one (seven in each segment). Remember to also apply glue to the short side that fits against the leg plank (on the right in the photos), and position the screws alternately so that they don’t end up on top of the previous ones. Repeat the process to make two more tables to complete your set.

3

3 Even off the edges of the planks for the top by cutting them straight. Using the plane, smooth the legs flush with the top. Fill all screw holes with wood filler, allow to dry and sand the edges.

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Compiled by Shané Barnard

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Successf ul sleep

Jana van der Merwe of Bellville writes

With the ‘new normal’ of working from home, I need to reclaim my bedroom as a no-work zone ‘after hours’. What can I do to make this space more relaxing and beneficial for good sleep? Greg Smart, CEO of Vencasa,

replies If you also use your bedroom to work from, start turning it back into your sleep sanctuary at sunset. Try these tips: Reduce bright light Complete darkness throughout the night is recommended. Dim the lights and keep your room gadget-free at night. Reduce the time you spend in front of screens, or install an app that ‘filters’ the harmful blue light on your cell phone, tablet or laptop. Apps such as Night Shift, Twilight, Darker, Night Owl or Blue Light Filter will reduce the brightness of your screen; some devices already have an app like this pre-installed. Temperature regulation Try splashing your face with water as this tells the body to release melatonin. The water helps dissipate heat from the surface of the skin as it evaporates, thereby cooling the inner body core. The recommended room temperature is about 18°C. Alternatively, take a hot bath before bed. This will help you to relax and the drop in body temperature after getting out of the bath may help you feel sleepy.

Design your best night’s sleep ecosystem

This entails the correct selection of the following elements: a mattress, pillow, bed base and bed frame, linen, lighting, and temperature. Vencasa recommends using an adjustable base as the benefits of elevating one’s shoulders and feet while resting are well established. The ability to adjust your bed with the touch of a button allows you to find the perfect sleep position; this relieves any strain on your body, including pressure on your heart, and improves circulation. CONTACT vencasa.co.za

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