Yes, yes, yes... i know this blog is supposed to be all about paint, but sometimes you have to build something to paint on!
Let me introduce you to my pride and joy of our kitchen. Our Farmhouse Table. Now i dare you to type in to google, "farmhouse tables" and take a gander at how much some of those "rustic" tables are! Its insane! I think if I ever want a career change, with a market like that I may find myself building tables to sell!
Once i realized buying a table was out of the question, my search on pinterest and google began. The best woodworking website around is Ana-White.com. Dangerously you can search by project type, and difficulty. Once I found the tutorial for the farmhouse table, the website also lets you see what other variations and modification that other people had made. After reading through and taking measurements of what i liked off to the store we go!!
Lets just say, First you buy all the materials, and then you drink all the wine for thinking, "what have i gotten myself into".
Let me introduce you to my pride and joy of our kitchen. Our Farmhouse Table. Now i dare you to type in to google, "farmhouse tables" and take a gander at how much some of those "rustic" tables are! Its insane! I think if I ever want a career change, with a market like that I may find myself building tables to sell!
Once i realized buying a table was out of the question, my search on pinterest and google began. The best woodworking website around is Ana-White.com. Dangerously you can search by project type, and difficulty. Once I found the tutorial for the farmhouse table, the website also lets you see what other variations and modification that other people had made. After reading through and taking measurements of what i liked off to the store we go!!
Lets just say, First you buy all the materials, and then you drink all the wine for thinking, "what have i gotten myself into".
Once the wine had warn off and I had my plans and measurements in front of me it was time to get to it. Now with the instructions from Ana-white there are two versions. One they used a table saw to create leg supports, and another that uses pocket holes. Since I don't own a table saw, (and i have terrible flashbacks from using one in college and taking a board to the stomach) I choose the second option.
There is something soothing in finding the rhythm of; measure, cut, repeat. Since a table is just a square or rectangle everything is mostly cut in pairs or by fours.
Now let me introduce you to the Kreg jig jr. drill set. (or the knockoff version that is a lot cheaper) This is what you use to create the pocket holes. This tool was a game changer. Once you cut all your wood pieces to size, then you create pocket holes on each end of the boards when working around the base of the table.
Next I created the supports inside the table base so that i could screw the top boards onto the supports from the underside. The top boards can be all different variations. 1x6's, 1x8's, 1x4's, or a mixture of any, depends on what look you are going for.
For the top boards I used a biscuit joiner and wood glue in the joints and cracks to help seal the boards together better.
Once you have the overall technique of cutting, pocket hole, and screw together down, The benches are designed and build the exact same was as the table just in a smaller scale!
Once you have the overall technique of cutting, pocket hole, and screw together down, The benches are designed and build the exact same was as the table just in a smaller scale!
After all the parts were constructed, then came sanding and finally staining. With sanding you want to start with a low grit that is really rough, then progress to a higher number with a finer grit to give a smooth finish. I did not sand out all imperfections in the table because it "rustic". "Rustic" is my new favorite word and new best friend because it means that imperfections actually make it better, and give it more character. What is more poetic than that.
To create a more "rustic" worn look with the stain, I used 2 layers of different stains. I used Special Walnut to give it a warm undertone. Then after 2 coats of stain with a quick sand in the middle, I did 2 coats of weathered oak, to give it a grey tone. After a quick sand again it was time to seal the stain. Depending on the look you want to give your table you could use a more glossy look or a more matte/flat look. I wanted my table to to look more natural so used a poly that was flat.
** be advised that stain and poly have a fire combustion possibility, so when you use rags or towels, make sure you lay them out on the driveway to dry, or in a metal sealable rag disposal. (or just make sure the garbage can is away from your house.. KIDDING!)
To create a more "rustic" worn look with the stain, I used 2 layers of different stains. I used Special Walnut to give it a warm undertone. Then after 2 coats of stain with a quick sand in the middle, I did 2 coats of weathered oak, to give it a grey tone. After a quick sand again it was time to seal the stain. Depending on the look you want to give your table you could use a more glossy look or a more matte/flat look. I wanted my table to to look more natural so used a poly that was flat.
** be advised that stain and poly have a fire combustion possibility, so when you use rags or towels, make sure you lay them out on the driveway to dry, or in a metal sealable rag disposal. (or just make sure the garbage can is away from your house.. KIDDING!)
And there you have it! In total the table probably took me about 20hrs, and roughly about 250 buck from start to end, with all materials.
If you have any questions or want to know more about any materials or measurements leave me a comment below. Also if there is any project you would like to see or think would be great addition to our house let me know as well!
Happy Building!
If you have any questions or want to know more about any materials or measurements leave me a comment below. Also if there is any project you would like to see or think would be great addition to our house let me know as well!
Happy Building!