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My first building project ever. Thanks Ana!

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About This Project

I made this table using Ana's design for the Farmhouse Table and the original from Restoration Hardware. I put the stretcher supports back on the outside and added the extensions.

I also switched out the 2x6 top for 2x8s and attached them all from the bottom; I didn't want to deal with concealing screws on the table surface. The switch meant the boards on the sides are attached only on the innermost 3 inches. I drilled up through the 2x4 aprons and used 3 1/2 inch screws every six inches to make sure they were secure.

It's enormous and seats 12 if needed.

Estimated Cost: 
$160 using free recycled stain and a ton of screws
Estimated Time Investment: 
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Required Skill Level: 
Beginner
Type of Wood: 
I used pine for the legs and #2 douglas fir boards for the top because they're cheaper and have more character than #1 boards
Finish Used: 
I sanded it until I was pretty sure the risk of splinters was eliminated, but it was far from perfectly smooth. After pre-stain conditioner, it got a coat of Minwax Red Chestnut. The result was a little too red so my mom saved the day with a coat of Minwax Provincial and sealed it with wax. It's a tough finish and I'm not taking any special care of it. The goal is for it to look like it's really old, not pristine, so I make a point of not using place mats or protecting the surface.
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Ana White's picture
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What a stunning first project!

Amber, I'm totally blown away by your table! It is just stunning! And for a first project, wow!

 
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Love it!

We're hoping to make this soon....I love how yours turned out!

 
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Ends

Amazing. How did you adjust the plans so that you could push a chair in to the ends?  That is exactly how I want mine to turn out.

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Chair ends

I shortened up the side boards so that the board across the end was 9" in from the edge of the main table and 16" in from the edge of the extension. So 18 total inches shorter than the overall of the main table (which in my case equates to a 78 inches from the outside edge of the legs or a 75 inch side board for a 96" table. To have the chair fit under it would be more like 32 total shorter than the table if you don't do the extension. I think you almost have to do the extension to go that far in from the end, but you might just be able to move the legs in. I wanted to be able to adjust the table size a little since mine was so big so I went for it.

 
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wax?

What kind of wax did you use?  Thanks!

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Sorry for the delay.

Minwax Paste Finishing Wax

 
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Love!

Your table looks beautiful!  Great job!

 
Denise's designs's picture
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(No subject)


 
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How is this holding out?

I was just curious to know that with some time past...is this holding up?



 

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Very well

I don't take care of it at all, including putting rather warm serving dishes directly on the surface and doing other projects on top of it. I want it to look like it's been in my house for 100 years, but as of now it looks just like it did the day I finished it. Guess I'll have to keep working on the distressing.

 
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Material?

Beautiful table! Just wondering where you bought your wood? Thanks for sharing!

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Orange

We drive a small SUV so getting all the 8 foot boards 15 or so miles to our house was interesting.

 
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Farmhouse table

Your table is beautiful and I like how you extended the ends of the table.  How did you attach the breadboard ends without the frame underneath?  Thanks, Spencer

 
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Breadboard Ends

Beautiful table. I am preparing to build my own! I have the same question as the gentleman above...how did you attach the breadboard ends without the frame underneath. Thanks, Jodi

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Breadboard ends

I worked out a cantilever system similar to the one in the original table from Restoration Hardware. I have a full explanation (with diagrams) here.

 
ferbit's picture
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Wow, cannot believe...

Wow, cannot believe this is your first build! Beautiful! I'm about to build a similar (although much smaller) version of this. LOVE the breadboards the way you did them.

 
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Your first build?! Gorgeous!

That table is stunning! You did a fantastic job. What species of wood did you use?

I think I'm going to have to do something similar. Adding this to my growing list of projects to build. LOL

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Wood types.

The base is yellow pine and the top is #2 douglas fir.

 
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Thanks, Amber!

Thanks, Amber! It looks great!

 
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Farm table

Did you use 'green' fir wood for this table or kiln dried? If green, did you have a problem with sap leaking, or craking in the wood?

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Fir

It was the stuff they sell as Home Depot in the construction lumber section which I assume is klin dried. There was no sap, etc. I did have one board that warped a bit after a couple of months that I want to replace (other people don't seem to notice, but I can tell).

 
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Chairs

I love your table and my husband already has a top ready to go (He started a table 23years ago, we have white pine from a lumber specialty store... we since have changed our minds on the base)I like your base better than the trestle we had planned.
My question is where do I find affordable seating, but good quality?
Thanks so much for sharing your table with the multitude. :)

Debbie

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Affordable seating.

I found mine on craigslist. In general I only shop at 2nd hand stores for furniture. I like things with a little more character than I can find in my budget new. I also recommend curbside if you're okay with mismatched set. It's not for everyone, but I like it as long as you can find a collection with a similar feel.

 
claydowling's picture
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Chairs

Ana has some plans for chairs. Chairs are something of an advanced topic because they need to withstand a lot of stress.

You might also check your local habitat for humanity restore. There's a lot of cool stuff at our local store, furniture included.

 
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Great job Table looks nice.

Great job Table looks nice.

 
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Plans

Wondering if you could send me the plans for this table? It is beautiful! I have been looking for the perfect table since we moved into our farm house 3.5 years ago! Thanks!

 
amberhibbs's picture
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Plans

The plans are very similar to Ana's original ones, but I did make a few minor changes. I'd be happy to send you plans with the changes I made. I would need your email address though. :)

 
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Plans

I would love to see the plans as well.
Thanks

 
amberhibbs's picture
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PLANS!!!

I wrote a full post with all the changes I made to the original plans. You can find it here.

http://germanjellosalad.blogspot.com/2012/02/adjustments-to-ana-whites-f...

 
windjamer812's picture
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Great Job

Love the table. I live in barn country here in Indiana. I would love to build that table out of century old barn siding and barn beams. You did a remarkable job.

 

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