Another Tire Saved from the Landfill

I wouldn't call myself a tree hugger, but I do take reusable bags to the grocery store, I've switched all my monthly bills to paperless emails, and I always, always, turn the water off while I'm brushing my teeth. Every little bit helps. But let me tell you, this last project I just finished is going to skyrocket me straight to recycling queen status!

I turned a tire into an ottoman! And not just any ottoman. It's  the kind of ottoman that you just want to sit and stare at for at least two hours with a glass of cold milk and a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies while your husband sits across from you nodding in amazement and approval.

I've been eyeing this ottoman for at least two years:

But, it's $522.99, and that's on Overstock.com (regular price $706). I wasn't trying to spend that much on an ottoman Especially when I know that if I think hard enough I can make it myself. After staring at my wish ottoman, I noticed that it looked a whole lot like, OMG, a tire. BINGO! I would make the ottoman out of a tire! Here's how it went down:

1) Jumped on Craigslist.com and searched for free semi-trailer tires (I wanted my ottoman to be a nice, round, full figured girl who isn't afraid to flaunt her curves). Found a company that sells used tires that had literally a mountain of tires they wanted to give away. Headed right over and picked my tire from the bunch.

2) Took her home and washed her up to remove any grease and grime.

 3) Started at outer edge of tire, and glued rope to tire one line at a time, rolling tire as I went.

4) Got a sheet of plywood and cut two circles the size of the tire's inner hole. Attached wood circles to tire openings using self-drilling wood screws.

5) Attached top plates to plywood topped tire in locations where legs would be stationed.

(3 legs will support a round ottoman just fine, but 4 legs can be used for added stability.)

6) Screwed legs on...and she stood!

 7) Cut and glued rope to wood circle to make the pattern I wanted. I used Crazy Glue the first time. I've since used hot glue and it worked as well.

 8)  A final double trim around the edges and done!

Can you believe she used to be a tire?!    

     

I love her!

Here are a few others I've made. They're on my online store Home Attire^TM 

at www.homeattire.net. I'm not taking orders right now, but the store is still open for viewing. 

Don't you just want to hug them? Tell me what you think of my tire ottomans.









P.S. If you decide to make a tire ottoman know that Manila rope is made of natural fibers from the abaca plant and is usually treated before importing. The treatment applied to the rope can leave a somewhat oily smell that may not be pleasing. If the smell of the rope is not to your liking, a spray of any odor eliminating product can remove the smell. The smell will resolve on its own in time as well. And, no, it doesn't smell like a tire! Just don't use a new tire, I'm sure that would smell like a tire.

One other thing...
I came up with this idea two years ago in 2012. Since I originally shared my idea it has spread across the Web like wild fire! I'm happy that so many people like my idea, and I only ask that if you decide to share my idea that you will give credit back to the source. I've seen more than a few people take credit for my idea with no mention of where they actually got their inspiration. So, remember...Be kind, what goes around comes around. 
~Nikki