There was a golden age when the expansive hood of the American automobile could double as a picnic table. Thankfully, engine compartments have conformed to smaller motors and superior aerodynamics, but why give up the pleasure of dining (or making out) on the hood of an American classic just because you drive a Honda Fit? Joel Hester, in his Dallas-based Weld House, is scrounging the scrap yards of Texas and turning grizzled steel into tables, beds, armoires, and more.

Hester’s most enchanting creations are his coffee and end tables, which start at $700 (check out his gallery on Flickr). Working with car hoods and trunks ravaged by sun, weather, and even custom paint jobs, Hester and his torch-happy gang flatten the metal, shape the edges, add custom legs and casters, and give each one a sublimely smooth finish. Some tables even bear their original hood ornaments and vin tags.