I built this using the Farmhouse Table plans, and we're thrilled with the results. My modifications included making the table longer and narrower to fit our dining room, and building it from some fantastic white oak from a local lumberyard called Boards & Beams in Fairfield, NJ. I used 5/4" thick boards of varying widths for the top, and created deeper overhangs at the ends by making the breadboard ends 10" deep. Unlike a more rustic version using pine, the lumber was extremely expensive, and the oak makes an already heavy table even heavier. Still, it is orders of magnitude less expensive than purchasing a custom table like this, and I only needed to "ship it" from my garage.
My idea was to match, as closely as my skills would allow, the antique buffet in the photo next to the table. Or at least to build something that would look good next to the buffet. My prior woodworking experience is limited to DIY carpentry and building plywood shelves and radiator covers. I am not a "mortise and tenon" woodworker (although I'd like to learn). The plans are excellent because this was the first "real" furniture I've ever attempted, and it is literally as solid as if it were carved from a single piece of wood. I rented a 12" compound miter saw from Home Depot to make most of the cuts in one day, which worked out extremely well. The visible screw holes I plugged with oak dowls.
If you decide to build this (or anything) from a hardwood, here are a couple mistakes I made early on that you don't want to repeat. First, EVERY screw into every piece needs a pilot hole. If you have even the slightest thought that your screw is about to strip or break, it is. Second, higher-quality wood is often cut larger than what you find in a big box store. A 2 x 4, which might be 1.5 x 3.5 from Home Depot, can be 1.75 x 3.75. This really matters a lot, and so you have to measure your actual wood and re-calculate every measurement accordingly. The upsides, for me, included fewer warped pieces, less splintering, and greater ease of sanding and finishing.
Thank you very much for posting these plans and for your excellent "how-to" on cutting out the notches.
Comments
Wood Chuck
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 10:43
GREAT job !!!
WOW it looks awesome the extra time spent on the painting was more than worth it looks spectacular. I bet you also could make a great profit selling this Wardrobe either on line or in a consignment shop, if I had the need for one and the money I would defiantly buy one!!
Ana White Admin
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 12:10
Gorgeous!
As always, amazing build!
leftysgirl
Tue, 07/18/2017 - 05:45
Are there plans for this piece?
Are there plans for this piece?
:)
MrCoffee
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 13:54
Awesome.
I love the way the paint job came out on this and I really dig the having the molding on the top stained.
handmadewithash
Sat, 03/07/2015 - 18:55
I love all the attention to
I love all the attention to detail. Great job! I especially love the color selection. How did you achieve the look of the top stained piece?
In reply to I love all the attention to by handmadewithash
timberandsoul
Mon, 03/09/2015 - 22:01
Hi Ashley,
Hi Ashley,
The top was built separate, stained, varnished and then attached to the painted wardrobe. :)
- Brad
Calmly
Sun, 03/08/2015 - 07:36
Great job!
This looks awesome! I love the the paint finish and it your profession work
TwoCuteKids
Mon, 03/09/2015 - 17:30
Beyond Beautiful
I agree this is your best so far...which is hard to say b/c all your projects are amazing! I love the style, the paint colors, the stained top, and the hardware!
In reply to Beyond Beautiful by TwoCuteKids
timberandsoul
Mon, 03/09/2015 - 22:02
Thank you so much! :)
Thank you so much! :)
whopua
Tue, 11/10/2015 - 11:13
Plans??
Are there any available plans? I'd love to make this for my wife!
Anela
Sat, 03/19/2016 - 15:06
Any plans or sketches?
It looks really great!
I have fallen in love with it the second I saw it and somehow I am now convinced that I need a new wardrobe ;)
I guess you don't have plans for the wardrobe laying around - but would you mind doing a fast sketch (just a simple one on paper) with all the measurements noted? I would be thrilled to try building it myself in the summer.
Greetings from Germany!
Anela
Sat, 03/19/2016 - 15:07
Any plans or sketches?
It looks really great!
I have fallen in love with it the second I saw it and somehow I am now convinced that I need a new wardrobe ;)
I guess you don't have plans for the wardrobe laying around - but would you mind doing a fast sketch (just a simple one on paper) with all the measurements noted? I would be thrilled to try building it myself in the summer.
Greetings from Germany!
petemoore
Mon, 08/22/2016 - 07:32
plans
its very nice but there are no plans
can you put up the plans or email me them please
many thanks
leftysgirl
Tue, 07/18/2017 - 05:43
Links to plans??
Are there plans used for this beautiful piece? I do not see any links. Help please!! I absolutely need to make this armoire :) :)
Jimmy D
Fri, 01/03/2020 - 08:09
Anyway I can get plans for…
Anyway I can get plans for this beautiful piece?
conklines2
Mon, 01/03/2022 - 05:53
Plans to Build French Country Wardrobe
Love this wardrobe! Are there plans available to build it?
Thank you.