Built this table and bench for my wife. She wanted to host Thanksgiving dinner and needed a bigger table. I used the 96” plan, building the bench first and the table second. 3 coats of Danish oil dark walnut, and 2 coats of poly. I get a lot of compliments about this table. The bench is remarkably comfortable and sturdy. And yes, my wife was very pleased, plus I finished on time for dinner.
Needed a small table for our new house so I decided to build one, I followed the design fairly close. The only creative difference and I'm going to pretend I meant to do it was that I rotated the squares 90 degrees.
A few tips / things to look out for:
- The angled legs are tricky to line up/attach but you can use alot of woodfiller there to fill in the gaps and you can barely notice it once it is all together.
- When attaching the slats to create the squares for the top, add 5 pocket hole screws to each side, when you go to attach them you will thank me, 3 on each side of them doesn't hold as tight as you need it too.
- on the underside of the top I also added some scrap squares of 1x4 under the small triangles to stop them flexing, attached to the 2x6 with pockethole screws.
- Palm Sander - should be listed as required tool, to level out the top after assembly I went through a pack of 120 grit discs.
- There is not much room for error if you only have 2 8 foot 2x6's so cut them a couple blade widths bigger than you measure and sand them down to exact size.
as I used SPF for the table top I think I am going to get a piece of tempered glass cut for the top to protect the soft wood and give me an easy surface to clean.
Thu, 07/25/2013 - 11:15
I am definitely bookmarking this! Very nice job. It's beautiful.
Thu, 07/25/2013 - 16:04
I have a hard time getting a finish that is that dark and rich looking. Good job!
Wed, 10/09/2013 - 08:25
NICKFMC
On the table top did you fill in the seems where the boards meet with wood filler? It looks like there may be something between them and it has a very smooth appearance. I don't really want the gaps to show on mine and was wondering how you got yours to look so smooth.
Great job on the table! and thanks for any help you can give me!
Paul
Wed, 01/29/2014 - 11:57
I really liked how the inner squares are turned 90 degrees. The table looks less rustic, a bit more polished. I believe your extensive sanding contributed to the finished look.
One bit of advice. You may want to start with a more aggressive sandpaper to make edges flush. You can start with a 60 or 80 grit and then work your way up to 120 or 150.
Sun, 11/20/2016 - 16:42
Hi all,
I made a table almost identical to this with the top being more farmhouse style. My problem is that a friend of mine offered to buy one of these if I make one for him. I never know what to price things at when asked to make for friends. I always let my feelings of friendship cheapen the cost. I would greatly appreciate some help in what price point to set a table like this at. Thank you in advance for any help.
I modified these plans a little. I added some tongue and groove breadboard ends, and used Rockler table top fasteners to attach the top. I worked on it in my spare time after work a couple days a week for about a month. I'm happy with the overall outcome!
My 4yr old son had been asking me to build him a Super Hero Clubhouse. He thought it was going to be outside! I added the slide and door and the back inside wall is a whiteboard. He absolutley loves it!! It took about 9 weekends, the painting was the longest task.
Sun, 07/03/2011 - 15:26
How did you make the slide? What materials did you use to make it "slidey?"
Thanks
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 12:40
Hi there, sorry for the delay, I didn't know anyone had commented!
The slide is simply a piece of laminated utility shelving. The laminated surface makes it slippery like a slide and eliminates the worry of splinters. Its 3/4" thick particle board and cut to match the correct angle from the bed to the floor. I then added 1x3's to make the hand rails and there are 2- 2x4's running the length of the slide underneath to support it. The slide itself is nailed to the supports underneath and the supports are cut at an angle on both ends and screwed to the bed from the inside. Its very solid!
Thanks!
Wed, 11/02/2011 - 11:25
Super cute....nice to see it decorated for a little boy..my son turns 4 in December and I'll be redoing his room. My only concern would be how much additional space the slide would take up? About how far from the base of the house front is the bottom of the slide.
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 09:06
From someone that has done a modified playhouse loft bed, I know how tiring and time consuming it can be! Looks great and can't show my son or he will decided he wants this one instead!
Jeff
Wed, 11/23/2011 - 14:10
I agree with the above comment: I can't let my sons see this! :)
Got a chance this weekend to do our first (good!) woodworking project. Love the chair, gotta head back to Menard's to get some more lumber for chair #2!
The plans were easy to follow. I modified my island to fit my space and cut it down to 44 inches in length.
Fri, 07/22/2011 - 14:13
i was looking for THE PERFECT ISLAND.. thank you so much for posting this. love it and can't wait to start building it. where did you find the shelves?
Mon, 10/31/2011 - 15:33
Your island is gorgeous, and I love the modification you made to the original plans on the shelving support! I would like to know what size the boards are that you used so that I can duplicate. Thank you!
Tue, 02/07/2012 - 19:43
I would think it would be basically the same build, just add brackets to support the extra wood.
Mon, 03/05/2012 - 15:20
I want to make this Kitchen Island but if can't find the Supply List. Would you mind posting it or emailing me please! This will work perfect in my Kitchen
Mon, 03/05/2012 - 17:46
Wow! Just a wonderfully simple project! I can figure it out by looking at it. I have a piece of Rock Maple Counter Top 24"x6'that needs legs. I'll probably use 4x4' for legs, six of them. But the shelves will be just like this. Thank you!
Mon, 03/05/2012 - 17:50
Wow! Just a wonderfully simple project! I can figure it out by looking at it. I have a piece of Rock Maple Counter Top, 24in.x6ft., that needs legs. I'll probably use 4x4s for legs, six of them. But the shelves will be just like this. Thank you!
Mon, 03/05/2012 - 18:59
I have enjoyed what I have seen so far. You are an awesome designer.
Mon, 03/19/2012 - 11:57
Do you have instructions on how to build this? It's awesome!
Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:58
Just click on the link for the instructions. It's under the heading 'About This Project' titled as 'From Plan: Easy Kitchen Island Plans'.
Click where it says 'Easy Kitchen Island Plans'. When you hover your cursor over the words, you will see that is a hyperlink.
Sun, 05/20/2012 - 06:48
I love your island and I also have a small kitchen...would you happen to know the sizes of the boards you used? Thanks
Wed, 07/25/2012 - 14:31
Yours looks so different and so much better then the one that show how to make it, how did you do it? I really would love to build it but have no idea how...
Thanks so much!
Wed, 08/15/2012 - 13:08
This island is perfect. I love the shelves and the size. Any chance you could send me the dimensions of this island and details on how you did the shelves? Great job!
Wed, 12/31/2014 - 07:37
Hi, this is my first time building anything. I really like the modification made to the original plans. I like the legs facing the other way. I can't figure out how to modify the cuts on the sides and front and back supports for the top to adjust for turning the legs the other way. Are there modified plans. LOL I need instructions, I’m not quite there yet on doing it myself. Thank you
Sat, 06/06/2015 - 18:33
Hello, i love this island but maybe i missed it. What kind of wood is everyone using? Frosting said $47 but that could only be for pine right? Are people using pine to build this? I would like it to look just like the picture. Any help would be appreciated! thanks!
Fri, 08/14/2015 - 14:34
I wnat to kow how much wood and what size I need ans the saws i need to build this project
Fri, 08/14/2015 - 14:35
I need to know how much wood and what size wood and also what kind of saws do I need for this job
Fri, 08/14/2015 - 14:35
I need to know how much wood and what size wood and also what kind of saws do I need for this job
My husband tackled the Fancy Farmhouse Table and finished it in 1 weekend and it looks amazing! I could not be more thrilled with the outcome.
I made this for my 6 year old who just started the first grade. The only modification I made to the plans was to make a couple cutouts in the hutch for cords. I also added cork which comes in a 24 by 48 inch roll.. I ordered all the hardware from the same place that Jaime from That's my Letter suggested in her build post. This was my first drawer and it was intimidating but it was fairly easy and cute as it can be:-) The plans were very easy to follow! I got the idea for the peg board organizer from the Shanty 2 Chic website. It's just 1x4 frame around the pegboard. The chair was a craigslist find I painted and made a cushion for with some foam and cute fabric. I'm really happy with how it turned out and look forward to the day when my daughter will actually use it. LOL
Mon, 08/26/2013 - 07:39
Absolutely adorable! I love all your finishing details as well.
I made another one of these bunk beds for a family near my community. This time I made all cuts from longer boards 16' + The boards had less nknots, which required less sanding and came out better!
I used the plans from Michaela's kitchen island, but modified the top. Instead of 2x4s pine studs, I used black walnut boards a friend of mine had lying around. They were ~1x8" boards so I ripped them to ~4" width and ~60" length. They were a little warped so I glued and screwed them togther using a Kreg jig (best tool ever). This made a huge difference and there was only minimal gaps (1/16") between the boards. I ended up borrowing a belt sander from another friend to take out the 1/16"-1/8" lips in the boards. First time using a belt sander and it took a few minutes with 80 grit across the grain to get a level surface. Used 120 grit paper with the grain to smooth out the scratch marks from the 80 grit. Attached the top to the base with screws, finish sanded with 220 and 320 grit, cleaned up the dust with a tack cloth and then applied a few coats of polyurethane. For the drawers, I couldn't find 21" slides so I ended up modifying the drawers for 20" slides. Another fun and satisfying project!
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:31
I don't seem to have friends with stashes of black walnut lying around : D
I am kind of a visual organizational neat freak and I have been annoyed by all the little things taking up good shelf space in my pantry for a long time now. This just kept getting pushed down the list ya know, not a major project. Anyway, grabbed an extra board at the store the other day and knocked this one out. I LOVE it. I made it short because I want to build a trash bag holder for the bottom half of the door. We'll see how long it takes me. I did use a 1x4 instead of Ana's plan which uses a 1x6. I only needed small things to put in here.
Tue, 09/20/2011 - 09:41
Ah, well dang it, now I have no excuses! LOL. This is on my list of things to do as well--yours looks great!
Wed, 09/21/2011 - 09:31
I love it! Great price,too!
I especially love how the design corals all those pesky little things that always seem to get pushed all the way to the back of my cabinets and drawers.
I'm definitely putting this on my list of things to build!
Cindy from Indiana
Thu, 09/22/2011 - 08:19
I just got an anchor that looked like it had a little more 'umph' to it. It is called a Cobra Tripple Grip. It looked like it had a section that popped open a little more once the screw went in. I thought that might hold it a little more securely. I feel no movement when I jiggle it at all.
Sun, 01/15/2012 - 08:29
Very nice project.
Just came along looking for a storage shelf and I saw your door shelf. Going to build one of these for sure, sick of the little wire ones we have falling down every other day.
Sun, 01/22/2012 - 19:28
Thanks for the idea. I had to purchase one instead of make one because I live in an apartment.
Farmhouse hall tree modified for the space!
Made a 48x18x27h version of the Little House table to use in a small office . The Wood is Spalted Alder resourced from our WA State property finished with a clear satin urethane top coat. Fasten with pocket holes and glue for the frame.
Christmas 2010 my husband and I made our little girls a kitchen using Ana's plans. We used the materials on her cut list, and used paint for the finish. Used fabric scraps to sew the sink skirt, found the knobs at hobby lobby and habitat for humanity, and small bar faucet at Home Depot. It turned out amazing!
Thu, 12/15/2011 - 19:04
Julie, this kitchen set is gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing!
In reply to Julie, this kitchen set is by Ana White
Tue, 12/20/2011 - 16:04
Thanks so much for the compliment! Means SO much coming from you! I love your site and your plans, Ana you are amazing! Thank you for making me your featured builder this month, I had no clue until someone saw my face on your blog! I feel like a rock star now ;)
My husband built the dresser for our three-year-old son. He built and stained the dresser over the course of a week.
My husband and I built this for our first furniture project. I have the bug! Now I must make night stands . I got the look by staining first with min wax dark walnut, followed by rustoleum weathered gray. This was my first time to ever stain anything, so this does not take much experience to do. Love it! We followed the advice to measure our mattress first, which was good because it turned out to be narrower than many kings. We built the bed custom to our mattress . We also made the height a few inches taller to have a nice tall bed. The footboard is lengthened also. I wanted it to come up above the end of our mattress. This project is easy once you get going. It is also addictive!
I saw the plans for this and had to have it! My husband had it assembled pretty easily (we've built several dining tables/benches, but this was our first piece that went out of that box, lol) and the whole project took maybe a day or two including staining. We left of the end pieces just because we were trying to get it done quickly for Thanksgiving; we intended to add them on later, but I kind of like it open. Everyone who has seen it loves it!
Sat, 12/07/2013 - 21:46
Your hall tree looks really good! (Early American is my favorite stain color!)
Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca
I have been looking for something to add extra seating to my deck while also filling an awkward corner that I have never been able to find prefab furniture to fit. This build reminded me a lot of the large X bench that Ana made for her cabin (that I also built for my front porch.) It is super simple and so sturdy. I can't wait to sew cushions for it and build the second half.
Wonderful project! Very fun. Built a bench from scrap 2x4s (left in the garage by our home's previous owner, so they were free!) and a piece of MDF shelving. Perfect for our entryway. The bench itself was incredibly easy to build. The hard part, in my opinion, was finishing it. So many pretty things to choose from! I used a piece of 2-inch foam plus a double layer of batting for the top, some striped upholstery fabric, and 160 nailheads to finish it off. Love it.
Tue, 02/14/2012 - 12:45
This really came out nice, and lovely selection of fabric.
Sun, 02/19/2012 - 12:54
Love it! Wondering if I could build it and have some type of slipcover on it. (house with three kids under 5 years old does not go well with permanent upholstery! haha)
Fri, 03/09/2012 - 09:06
If you check out Ana's original plans for the Easiest Upholstered Bench, you'll see that she DID use slipcovers! You could make different ones for each season, or for holidays like Christmas or birthdays...
Wed, 10/30/2013 - 08:36
Hi Katie, I am having a difficult time finding fabric (hard to believe)! did you get yours online? How wide are the stripes? most fabric I am finding is not wide enough to cover the top and sides. Thanks for the help! Great build!
Such a fun build! Can't wait to start my new project 🤗
Jenuri
I built this queen size farmhouse bed using Ana's Plan. I wanted hidden under bed storage so I did alter that part of the plans. The box is pretty heavy so i added foot supports to carry the weight. I have access to the storage on both sides of the bed. I have built another version of this bed where i added gas springs to help lift the bed for access but i chose not to do it on this one. As an added feature, i also built a matching doll house bed. I love this bed, and it turned out beautiful.
Comments
Ana White Admin
Sun, 01/16/2022 - 10:32
Gorgeous set up!
This is stunning, thank you so much for sharing!
BearWoodworks
Mon, 01/17/2022 - 13:49
Thank you. The set up…
Thank you. The set up gratitude goes to my wife. She inspires me to complete these builds. And thank you to Ana White for these awesome build plans. I’m running out of house for all the builds so far.