I completed my table and it stands all on its own! Albeit not totally level nor square, screw it! I made it and I am stoked! I forget, I am on the East Coast now, so I am WICKED HAPPY about it!
I have to give props again to Ana White at knock-offwood.com. I think I might have found my calling!
After $70+ and approximately 10 hours of work. With a few adjustments (I didn't taper the legs and I narrowed the top) I have completed the Narrow Farmhouse Table to be used as a duo desk for my twin girls.
A quick (and not so pretty) photo montage of my work.
Pile of wood
1st plan modification - I did not taper the legs (totally not square). I have to admit I have no square skills. I was triumphant with having 4 legs that turned out the same measurement, so square shmare.
My girls got in the mix. They LOVED "distressing" the wood.... i.e. beating the crap out of the legs with a hammer and screw driver. Gotta love a girl that is not afraid to use a hammer!
The legs working together to become a table. EEEEEEk I am so excited!!!!
Wahhhhla, the table base is complete. At this point and still, the table is really not square, but know what I say to that? I don't give a %&*$. I do want to learn skills, I am now inspired to learn how to be square! Note to self, google how to be square.
Genius!
I didn't snap photos of the messy part. Took four 1x6x8 pine boards & wood glued them together. I clamped them in 3 locations and let dry overnight. The next day, I sanded, and sanded and sanded to get rid of the grooves between the boards. I would have left the grooves and not glued the boards together had it not been earmarked for use as a desk.
I also wanted to finish it a chippy white. Hubby happens to favor the antique rustic pine look (like a few of our antiques). In my attempt to experiment with the rustic finish under chippy, I decided to forgo the next step (painting) and leave it wood on top. This way when I tire of the look, I can slap on some paint and have a new piece!
In the mean time, I plan on honing my faux finishing skills. I was going to attempt a weathered wood look, but my steel wool in vinegar concoction never concocted. I would love to come up with a way to mimic the patina old unfinished pine pieces have. Not to mention the bubbling & chipping of old paint. Another day, another project. I digress.
Here is another view of the table top.
COMPLETED!
Posts
This is quite possibly my favorite piece ever. I love the finish, it looks so antique and simple. What a brilliant idea for a desk. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks Ana! I couldn't have done it without you. I am so stoked to have found your blog. I left so inspired. I WILL be building more! Next on my agenda is a patio table.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing what you do!
You did an awesome job with this one!!! Love the finish.
ReplyDeleteThank you Teresa.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous idea! I didn't even think of it being a desk...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to add it to my 'want to build' list ;) (and I agree, Ana ROCKS).
Great job - it's beautiful!
Thank you Katie!
ReplyDeleteWow, i just ran across your blog and am SO impressed with this table. I've been wanting to build a console table myself, and hadn't found any diy's online. This is giving me the confidence to try to build my own. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMelissa
MELISSA - You should TOTALLY build one & share! Ana's instruction and design is super easy to follow and customize to your specification. You won't be sorry! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour desk is beautiful! what is the finish on the legs?
ReplyDeleteThank you Kati.
ReplyDelete1st I used a household wax stick on the edges and in random places (the kind of wax you can buy at the grocery store for canning etc). Next, I painted them with a plain old white latex paint I had laying around. 3rd I sanded off the paint where the wax was - light sanding with fine grit paper and a couple of passes with course grit as well. Lastly I hand rubbed Briwax finishing wax in Rustic Pine color all over (it junks up the white just enough to give it a nice used patina and darkens up the fresh wood). The same Briwax is what I used on the top.
Great job!! I'm attempting to build this table right now :) But I have a question... how did you make the legs? Ana says to use 1 1/4″ and 2″ Finish Nails, 2″ Wood Screws (about 100), 2 1/2″ Wood Screws (about 20 screws)... but doesn't say when and where to use them all. I'm making this for an office desk and want to make sure it's going to hold up. Did you just use nails? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie.
ReplyDeleteFor the legs, I glued them with wood glue and I used finish nails to hold the two pieces of wood together. I used nails & glue to attach the legs to the runners (the 4 sides of aprons). I used screws on the interior into the aprons and legs. I used glue and nails to hold the cross braces. I used screws on the underside into the cross braces and table top pieces. Hope that clarifies it for you. Feel free to ask any more questions.
I actually built a second version of this table I have yet to blog about(it is a huge dining room table & I built it in the same way and it is very sturdy even with a really heavy top).
You are an inspiration! What kind of clamps did you use for the table top?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Came across your post, this is absolutely beautiful! Great job! I was wondering what stain and finish you used on the top and what you used to apply it?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
I love your table. It is awesome sauce!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your table. It is awesome sauce!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI moved into a new home and now have a LITTLE space to sew and create. This is my next project for a longer sewing table. I love Ana White's plans!!!!! Thanks for reminding med to make rather than buy!
ReplyDelete