Reclaimed Lumber Mission Style Coffee Table

Well it is certainly starting to feel like fall around here, and like the changing of the season I find myself spending more time in my workshop than out in the garden. This usually happens each year after the summer gardens have been cleaned and the winter gardens have been planted.

I had acquired some white oak that had been in an area where it was exposed to fumes from animal urine, like a horse stable, and the wood looked very weathered. Ironically, Mission style furniture was usually put into a tent and "fumed" with ammonia for 48 hours to darken the wood to create a dark brown  hue. The ammonia reacts with the tannin in the oak and produces a mellow darkness that normally comes with natural aging of wood. Gustav Stickley used to use this technique to finish his furniture.

 I didn't want to waste the oak, so I decided to use it to make a mission style coffee table. I like to use mostly with hand tools when I build furniture. I don't like the noise of power tools or the dust created by them. I like it quiet when I work so I can concentrate on what I am doing and put myself into each piece I build.

After the wood was cleaned, I cut it into workable boards and then cut out all the parts. The legs, apron and ends were all held together with mortise and tenon joints, and the boards for the top were glued up with a breadboard edge.

The table turned out great and the finish looked better than I had hoped for. I wasn't sure if the discoloration would show through the finish, but the wood had a warm, deep chocolate hue! It doesn't really show it's true color in the photos.

The table is a nice addition to our living room and compliments the mantle and bookcases.

Now I think I need to build a couple matching end tables!

This was another easy to build project and, like the farmhouse table, I have included the plans on my project plans page for anyone interested in building one.

~Rob~

Building a Farmhouse Table

Every year around this time, when the summer gardens have just about finished producing, I get the urge to get into my workshop and build furniture.

We had decided a while back to replace our old kitchen table so I was inspired to build a new one for ourselves. I needed to come up with a design that would fit our current kitchen space. We are planning on remodeling our outdated kitchen soon, so I also wanted a table that would fit with the new design. I love the simplicity and functionality of a farmhouse table so I set out to design one.

I decided to use kiln dried pine, because it is inexpensive and I have always been drawn to the warmth and richness of the grain. 

 The legs for the table and benches measure 3-1/2" square, it is a rugged table that will last for a very long time. 

All the parts are cut to fit into each other and held together with glue and screws. I used pine plugs in all the screw holes so they wouldn't be visible when it was painted.

The frames for the table and benches are pretty much built the same way, except for the center stretchers on the table.

The tops of the table and seats have breadboard ends.

Because we have limited space in our kitchen, I designed the benches to fit under the table when not in use so we can easily walk around it.

The table turned out much better than I though it would, especially using kiln dried pine. 

The entire project only cost $95.00!

Now I need to get going on the kitchen renovation so I can replace that hideous floor with either hardwood or slate!

I may include the plans for the farmhouse table and benches in my project plans section if anyone is interested in building one.

~Rob~

**UPDATE**
The plans for the farmhouse table are now available!
Click here to download.

Shared at:

The Backyard Farming Connection 
Deborah Jean's Dandelion House 
The Chicken Chick 
Tilly's Nest
The Self Sufficient HomeAcre 
From the Farm Blog Hop