Just finished this for our front hallway.
All made from one ripped down 8ft 2x10 board of fir. (table saw to cut 2 strips at 2.5 inch wide (top rails), and 2 at 1.5inch wide (legs), and one at 3/4 inch (stretcher).
Leg braces are angled 20deg / 70 deg to make them more upright and give a sleek profile.
Stretcher goes through the legs and is held in place by wedged shims.
Stainless tension wires and turnbuckles underneath to keep it all tight - and give an industrial look. Need a lot of strength to crush teh ferrules onto the wire.
Top surface is 2 of 12" x 24" bathroom slate tile inlaid into a recess that was cut into the top rails.
finish is 3 coats of minwax glassic grey, and 2 coats polyurethane, sanded deeply in some parts to weather it.
Took me about 8 hours.
I can provide more instructions if anyone is interested.
Austin
turnbuckles, stainless wire and fittings- $20.
2 bathroom tiles: $4
8 hours in my garage: priceless.
minwax polyurethane