Monday, February 24, 2014

Holy &*%$ - I built a table!

Ok, guys, I am really proud of myself for this one. I built a table. A serious, giant dining table. And it actually turned out well.
Anthropologie photo


You might be thinking Isn't your blog focused on this home DIY kinda stuff? Aren't you supposed to be doing these things? And the answer is yes, I am 'supposed' to be, but at this stage, I'm a total wannabe, and I have pretty much no experience and no idea what I'm doing. We only moved from our condo to our house a couple months ago, and this was the first big project I tackled. You might also be thinking, umm but you already built another table - so why is this one such a big deal? Well, that coffee table was easy peasy. It basically just involved screwing together 4 pre-assembled crates, so it was about as simple as any furniture build could be. This table, on the other hand, involved working with raw lumber and using multiple power tools. Totally hard core! (At least for me, though I'm sure several of you are laughing at my newbie-ness).

  

It should come as no surprise that I used plans from the queen of furniture building, Ana White. This is called the Fancy X Farmhouse Table, which was inspired by the Anthropologie Modern Farmhouse Table. I'm not going to share a step by step process, since you can just take a look at the actual plans. The estimated cost listed was $65, but I was skeptical that would be the case for us here in the (expensive) DC area. To my surprise, I actually spent less than $60 on lumber!


Overall, the process went pretty smoothly. I built it over the course of a week, starting one weekend, doing a few minor things during the week, and finishing up the following weekend. This could be completed in a single weekend though, especially if you know what you're doing already! At the end of the process, I spent some time beating the table up a little bit, so it would look like an antique with some history. Then, I used Minwax PolyShades Espresso Satin Stain.


This was the first time I used a compound miter saw, the first time I used a Kreg Jig, the first time I used a nailer... you get the picture. These are the tools I used (with affiliate links), in case anyone else is shopping around. With the exception of the drill that was a gift (and is amazing!), I picked out all of these because they were low cost and had high reviews - so they're good for beginners who don't want to spend a ton. I've been happy with all of them so far!





Have you ever built any big furniture? I was excited to try, but I was definitely worried it was going to turn out crooked or wobbly! This was definitely a big confidence booster once I saw the end product was actually sturdy & usable!

**Update: I've received a few comments asking for a link to the full directions. It's listed above in the post, but in case you missed it, here's the link: http://ana-white.com/2012/06/plans/fancy-x-farmhouse-table

51 comments:

  1. great job beautiful!!

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    1. Needless to say, AWESOME farmhouse table that could sell for a couple of thousands. Furthermore, your taste is very close to mine, elegant but livable. Congrats on your accomplishment.

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  2. what type of wood did you use? this is awesome .

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    1. also do you happen to have directions?

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    2. Thanks! I think it was pine... just the cheapy stuff at Home Depot.

      The directions are here: http://ana-white.com/2012/06/plans/fancy-x-farmhouse-table

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  3. Love this! I would like to do it but I think I would use apple cider vinegar to age the wood and do a lot more distressing of the wood. Great job!

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    1. Ooh I've never heard of using apple cider vinegar for aging.. I will have to try that out sometime!

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  4. If you get a piece of glass to cover the tabletop,it will eliminate the crumb-catching crevices between the boards.

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  5. Awesome job, it's absolutely beautiful! You also gave me the inspiration needed to attempt it myself, as I too am a newbie at DIY, especially when it comes to woodworking projects. =)

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  6. So nice! I want to make my own!
    Do you have any drscription?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry the link wasn't clear in the post - it's: http://ana-white.com/2012/06/plans/fancy-x-farmhouse-table

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  7. where are the instructions/ steps?

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    1. http://ana-white.com/2012/06/plans/fancy-x-farmhouse-table

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  8. Beautiful i have all the tools now its doing it i would use benches instead of chairs.

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  9. You did an awesome job, and just look at all the inspiring you did, too!

    I love chairs for this not-a-lightweight Gramma. Cushioned chairs invite lingering., which is want to have in my home. Benches are great for small young folks, to.

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  10. Does the website you received your plans from have a version of a bigger wider table? Something to seat 4 on each sides and 2 at each head of the table? Maybe 8" to a foot wider and about 18" to 24" longer...those table top dimensions would change the plans for the bottom side of the table...

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  11. What is total length of table, please? Beautiful!

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  12. This is beautiful. I have old barn wood saved from my Grandparents barn and have been looking for plans for a table like this. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. This is great! Sadly, the link to the directions is not working. I hope it comes back, soon!

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  14. How did you attach the top to the frame? Did you just screw it in from above? And if so did you just fill holes with filler and stain over them? Thanks

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  15. Would it be legal to remake the table for resale as a knock-off?

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  16. Love this table. Where are the chairs from?

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  17. Just found this on pinterest & its absolutely stunning! I had a table in mind, but could never articulate what i wanted to sales reps (we even bought a $1500 table & returned it, bc it just wasn't right). This is exactly what I had in mind, and I love the fact it's DIY. I pinned yours & the plans for fall when my kids are back in school. I'm also a total newbie & your table is so inspiring! LOVE IT!

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    - Thiên Ma Thần Đàm là nơi ở của Ma Thần bệ hạ, cũng là nơi mà Ma Thần
    Vệ chúng ta canh giữ .

    - Ma Thần bệ hạ li khai Thiên Ma Thần Đàm chưa?

    Những lời này mặc dù có hai chữ Ma Thần, nhưng Đoạn Vân lại dựa theo
    Rome Niko dùng bốn chữ ' Ma Thần bệ Hạ ' để hỏi. Hắn cho rằng làm như
    vậy hẳn sẽ không khiến cho đối phương phản ứng .

    - Không biết. Ngoại trừ lần trước bị Quang Minh Thần Hoàng Edward triệu
    hoán rồi đưa tới Thần giới, Ma Thần bệ hạ không hề li khai Thiên Ma Thần
    Đàm trên vạn năm rồi .

    - Sáu năm trước, Ma Thần bệ hạ tại sao không thừa dịp được Quang Minh
    Thần Hoàng triệu hoán tới Thần giới, hàng phục lưỡng đại Thần giới luôn ?
    dịch vụ kế toán trọn gói giá rẻ
    eco green city
    học kế toán tại hải phòng
    khoá học kế toán thực hành

    học kế toán tại long biên
    trung tâm kế toán tại hà đông
    dịch vụ báo cáo tài chính
    dịch vụ kế toán thuế trọn gói
    eco green city nguyễn xiển
    goldmark city
    công ty làm dịch vụ kế toán

    chung cư 89 phùng hưng
    tiếng anh giao tiếp cho trẻ em
    chung cư newskyline

    - Ma Thần bệ hạ không thể li khai Thiên Ma Thần Đàm quá lâu .

    - Tại sao ?

    - Bởi vì...bởi vì... Bởi vì Ma Thần bệ hạ ... Chiến sĩ Ma Thần Vệ Rome Niko
    sẽ vĩnh viễn thuần phục ngài ......

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  19. Where did you use the pocket hole jig?

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  20. I am more interested in the staining process. I noticed some awesome variations in the stain. Did the wood grain and knots just naturally come out a little darker or did you leave the stain on a little longer in certain areas?

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  21. Your finished table is so beautiful .. great job!

    http://www.freshdesignpedia.com

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  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  23. شركة الشرق الأوسط لكشف تسربات المياه بالرياض وتقوم بأصلاح أصعب المشاكل الخاصة بالمياه
    جهاز الكشف وذلك بأفضل الاساليب الخاصة بنا حلول زكية ومختصرة لك سلامة المنزل من تسربات المياه
    كشف تسربات المياه نستطيع الوصول الي مكان تسرب المياه شركة كشف تسربات المياه تهتم بكل التفاصيل لمكان الصحيح لتسرب المياه

    تقوم الشركة ايضا باضافة خدمات مثل

    شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض

    عزل مائي

    شركة تنظيف بالرياض

    شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض

    شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض

    شركة ترميم منازل بالرياض

    ReplyDelete
  24. ثراء الخليج نسعى دائماً للمزيد من التطوير وتقديم خدماتنا لجميع المناطق القريب منها والنائى لنصلكم عزيزى العميل اينما كنت فى المملكه حيث نقدم خدمة تنظيف المنازل والشقق السكنيه فى مدينه القطيف حيث نقدم فى ثراء الخليج افضل الحلول التى غالباً ما تكون الحل الامثل لتنظيف المنازل والبيوت فلا نكتفى بالحلول التقليدية بل نسعى دائما للافضل ف بفضل ما نعتمد عليه من فريق عمل وعماله مؤهله ومدربه على اصلاح وتنظيف كافة متعلقات المنزل او الشقه السكنيه بداية من مواد التنظيف وآلالات النظافه مروراً ب اخر مرحله وهى التلميع والجلى فريق عمل ثراء الخليج جاهز لتنظيف الشقق السكنية وازالة اى شوائب وآثار التنظيف وتنظيف ارضيات واسقف مطابخ كانت ام حمامات الارضيات تستخدم لها أفضل المنظفات ومواد التلميع والجلى بافضل منظفات وملمعات وفلاشات
    وليس هذا فقط ولكن استخدام معطرات جو للشقه السكنيه بعد اتمام عمليات التنظيف كافه لن تجدوها الا فى ثراء الخليج حتى لا ينقص شيئا من عملنا كمؤسسة تنظيف عالميه
    شركة تنظيف بالقطيف
    شركة تنظيف خزانات بالقطيف
    شركة تنظيف مكيفات بالقطيف
    شركة تنظيف موكيت بالقطيف
    شركة تنظيف منازل بالقطيف
    شركة تنظيف شقق بالقطيف

    ReplyDelete