Building a Farmhouse Style Table

For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted a farmhouse style table. A table that was long enough to fit my entire family, which has now grown to 12 (almost, my sister is due in March). Back in November I decided I wanted to host a Lumberjack Party over the holidays. That should have been the precise moment I started building the table we would all be eating at or in the very least the moment I should have been collecting the materials to put the table together.

But sometimes delay is my middle name and I started working on the table 4 days before the party. I know right, what was I thinking? This project was way above my skill level so I enlisted my bestie S to help me complete the job.  Truth be told, I didn’t help that much. I was mostly there for lemonade breaks and fetching the umbrella when the heavy rains came.  This post is in no way a “how-to” but I wanted to share the process we experienced.

We started with 5 thick boards (2×6) that were left over from building the house. I’m totally sentimental when it comes to things like that. The center board has at least a hundred cuts in it from the carpenters saw that was used to make the trim around the doors, the mantle and window sills.

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We did have to buy 2 additional boards from Lowes to ensure the table was wide enough to eat at comfortably. Once we got all of the boards together the final table size came to 8 feet long and 3 1/2 feet wide.

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In order to stabilize the top boards we had to build a strong base. If there was any part of the process that was tough this had to be it. The angle of the cuts on these boards had to be precise because they determined the height of the table.

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Once we had the “legs” (the big X) in place we secured each side with 2 x 4 using a cordless drill and 3 inch wood screws.

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This is a shot of the same boards after we set the table upright.

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As you can see they’re safely tucked underneath the top of the table.

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Once the table was in place on the back patio we wanted to add an extra support beam between the each side. These beams are 2 x 4.

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To carve out notches like these once you’ve determined the length you’ll need, first make a few cuts with a hand saw blade. Next using a chisel and a hammer, lightly tap the top of the chisel with the hammer.

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This will release the cuts in the wood creating the notch.

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After creating two notches for each beam, we lined each beam with the table legs and secured in place with a cordless drill and wood screws.

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Here’s a side view of the beams once the screws were in place.

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I may have jumped up and down once the table was finished. It was huge and exactly what I had envisioned.

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But because the back of the house gets a large amount of sun, I knew there was no way we could leave the table untreated. So we headed back to Lowes to pick out stain. Based on the color of the house and the color of the concrete paint we chose to stain the table a color by Olympic called Cape Cod Gray. Given I wanted to be able to enjoy the wood grain, I chose the semi transparent stain with a satin finish.

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In the store it looked like the perfect shade of driftwood. But I must admit once we got the stain on the table, the tint came out a little more blue than I thought it was going to be.

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Doesn’t that always happen? Those fluorescent lights will get you every time. While I don’t think the color is going to grow on me, I don’t want to make any hasty decisions either. We still have to paint the concrete and over time I’ve seen the sun give wood a beautiful patina that will never be found in a can.

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See you guys back here tomorrow – I made the cutest moose plates with Sharpie markers.

Many blessings,

CoCo

 

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11 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh CoCo – your farm table is beautiful! I too appreciate using leftover wood for a new project. I think you are right…the table color will change with the Summer sun, but it is beautiful still. Please tell S I need the carpentry skills to come to Georgia!

    1. Ha ha I’m sure S would share those carpentry skills with you any time lady! Thanks for all of your sweet comments on the table. I love it more and more every time I look outside and get a peek at it.

  2. This is wonderful, Coco! I too would have procrastinated on a project like this. It seems to be how I roll. Haha! I have plans to create a similar table for my back porch, this Spring. I’ll be sure to refer back to this lost for tips. Thanks for sharing!

    1. You’re so sweet Iris, thank you. Now that I have it I don’t know why it took me so long to make one. It’s been so nice to have a place outside where everyone can eat around. I know your family is going to enjoy the one you make too. I can’t wait for spring to come!

  3. Your table turned out awesome! Don’t you just love a super heavy/sturdy piece of furniture you know will hold for years to come? I do! I’m sure many a great meal will be had around this table.

    1. I do too Nancy! We’ve already eaten around it several times and I love it. All we need now is a string of party lights!

  4. I want one of these tables!!! I love it a and I know y’all will enjoy it for a long time to come! Great job girl!!

    1. Thank you bunches Angie, it’s been a great addition to the back patio area already!

  5. LOVE this!! We have an 8′ redwood picnic table and benches at mom’s house that is 45 years old and would never part with it. My dad was forever using one of the benches for some project and it has a multitude of minor saw cuts and nail holes ~ part of our history. Your table will age beautifully and you will treasure it for years! Thanks for sharing with us CoCo! Bwg ~~~

    1. Wow, aged redwood, I bet that is gorgeous Bobbi. It’s so nice that you still have the table after 45 years. I know it’s a treasure!

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