finally I had the time/energy/resources to put into reality the idea that had been been in my head for some time...
After we decided to stay put and not move across the country, we were determined to do the house projects that get put off and forgotten about...until you think about selling the house and then all those things get done. This time we were going to do all of them and then get to enjoy our house for ourselves. I was never a fan of our dining room table...and had always wished for a different table...now was the time to make that idea a reality...
I already had a cast iron table base that I picked up for $15 years and years ago...
when I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for the "someday" table...
I bartered 4 rusty metal table legs for 6 reclaimed fir boards from my friend Shelley who is the Queen of Junk...thick heavy boards...a little worse for being outside for a while...but that's what we call patina...
Got the boards home, scrubbed them, bleached them, set them out in the sun to dry...
an aside...Atlas work gloves are the best...great rubber grip and flexible knit backside...I love them...
Laid the boards out, moved them around until I had an arrangement where the boards fit snug...pounded in several wood connectors...essentially wood staples that would hold the boards in place while I secured them with three wood braces.
I also laid down the table base so I could mark
the position of the screw holes...
For the table braces, I didn't want to use new wood because the tone would be so glaringly bright...rummaging around, I found several used stakes that once held campaign signs of some candidate we were supporting at the time...I cut the stakes into the desired lengths...the leftover pointed ends might be resurrected into a wood composition art piece in the future...
After determining the placement of the braces, I drilled pilot holes for the screws...wrapping a piece of blue tape around the drill bit gave me a guide to the depth of the hole without drilling all the way through the table top...
Once the braces were in place, I used my electric sander to smooth the rough edges and remove any loose splinters...I debated whether or not to apply any sort of sealant...decided against it for the time being...I like the natural tone of the boards and wanted to keep that rough hewn look...
I moved the table top into the dining room for final construction...
Attached the iron base...noticed that the feet on the legs were rather rough...not wanting to scratch up my wood floors, I cut rounds of self-adhesive felt for a cushion...
Flipped the table over and I was done!
It didn't take long for me to get the chairs around the table and set up a fall vignette...
I love seeing the deep grain of the wood planks...
All the textures and tones that speak an autumn mood...
My new table... the perfect palette for whatever the seasons bring...
Joining the group over at Funky Junk Interiors Party Junk...lots of great recycled ideas...tons of inspiration...
and the Salvaged Style Link Party over at Knick of Time
