My Glass End Table and Lamp

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

3 days ago, I was dusting my end table in family room (sits next to side of my couch). The 3 legs were wood/metal - and it had a large bevelled glass round top. I had a large, somewhat heavy lamp sitting on it -- it had a large glass flowery shade - the center of the lamp was glass - and the base was metal. I had it for 6 yrs. As I started dusting, one of the legs on the table collapsed -- and the table and lamp crashed on my tile floor - and the 2 bulbs in the lamp came on. Lots of large and small shards of glass. It was so shocking and scary - I screamed.

Can't imagine how this could happen - has anything like this happened to u?

Now - I'm shopping for another end table and lamp. Not sure what to buy - shop on-line or go to various stores????

I have so much wood furniture in family room and other rooms - don't want all wood.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

Often glass-topped tables have a heavy metal base that's more than adequate to support the weight of the glass. I've had a coffee table for years, now residing in the garage, that had glass so heavy I couldn't lift to clean the underside, but it was adequate supported by a heavy brass base.

I'd look both online and at local stores for a replacement. Just be sure what you select is sturdy. So sorry about your disaster. That must have been a mess to clean up.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

@Kachina624

I bought the glass end-table from a local store. It was a floor model - and the owner delivered it connected (with a dresser) to my home. It's possible he didn't connect the leg to the glass top tight enough. Being home alone - I just had to ask myself, "why do these things happen?" --- Yes, it was a mess - and I have a little dog -- so I had to be sure I picked up all the large pieces of glass -- and I vacuumed the small pieces. Thank God for the hose on my vacuum.

sandraskates · ‎06-26-2014

And I'll bet it was like watching the collaspe and breakage in slow motion. :-(

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

If you're planning on getting glass again I would definitely buy it locally. That's the only way you'll know for sure if it will be sturdy enough. I'm sorry about what happened. That must have been very scary. I'm glad you and your dog weren't injured.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

My sister was standing in the middle of her kitchen barefooted one day when the glass oven door spontaneously shattered sending glass all around her. I happened to be visiting and her kids were home, but what if she'd been alone? I've also heard of this happening to glass shower doors.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Nicknack wrote:
If you're planning on getting glass again I would definitely buy it locally. That's the only way you'll know for sure if it will be sturdy enough. I'm sorry about what happened. That must have been very scary. I'm glad you and your dog weren't injured.

@Nicknack She bought the broken one locally and that didn't work out too well.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Fressa · ‎03-20-2012

I love glass tables and lamps and have quite a few. A few years ago, I just happened to notice the difference between the thickness of that glass to the other glass table. Two of them are thin and three others are thick. My lamps are heavy and I'm always switching things around so I decided to replace those glass tops. I have a local glass shop that does mainly window repair. I stopped in there and they will cut table tops, mirrors, etc. Who knew? If you have a window repair company it's worth the call. It was much cheaper than buying a new table. Some cabinet stores can make a wood insert as well. My friend discovered this when she was redoing her kitchen. If you like the base, it's something to consider.

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

@Fressa

The large, round beviled glass was what attracted me to the table that I had. Not sure if the glass broke first --- or one of the 3 wood/metal legs collapsed. It all happened so fast --- crashing down on my tile floor -- with my large flowery glass lampshade. The trash truck took it all away yesterday. Today I went to a 2 local stores. One was Bed/Bath and another similar-type store. They don't carry end tables. I spent many hours on-line checking out Amazon and other sites - for end tables. It's hard to buy a table when I can't see it in person.

I think I'll have to go to a furniture store - so I'll do that tomorrow.

ptagirl · ‎07-12-2010

I'm so sorry that happened to you.. I would check any second hand shops or consignment shops if you have any in your area. Also have seen glass end tables at the Goodwill and the mission /church store. Sometimes they're not in pristine condition and need some TLC, but are sturdy enough for a heavy lamp. Don't know if you want to go that route, just another suggested option....I do feel the older furniture is made much better, if you want to put in some refinishing, etc.

I found a nice sturdy oak (real wood, not MDF) printer table at a yard sale ..I'm using it for an end table for my stained glass lamp. Needs some work to the top, but for right now I just covered it with a pretty autumn placemat...looks really nice by my couch and serves the purpose for what I needed..spent a whole $5..

Good luck in your search and have a great day!