We started looking for a table for our strangely small yet open kitchen eating area back in September when we moved in. Everything we saw and liked measured out to being too long. It is tight because the space is flanked by a walkway to the master and our bar seating area and then a 6" step on the other. So, we were landlocked with our size. A round table worked really well, but we could only fit 4 comfortably there.
So, what do Katie and David do? They design and build their own.
David loves working with wood and metal. He started with the wood top and after one complete table top in the trash (I was adamant about the way it was constructed/finished), we finally came to a great happy final product. Then the legs were a challenge with the wood due to species and availability so David just decided to make them out of welded steel tube.
It is very "farm-table"-esque. He ended up using standard yellow pine. He planed it himself and then sanded it all down with a 220 grit before the stain. I am in love. {with David too}
Close up on the finish. Which is my FAVORITE part.
The finish is a-la-Restoration Hardware's Salvaged Natural. See below. I LOVE this finish because its very "found" in essence and isn't too slick or dark or contrived. Natural.
And a furniture piece from Restoration Hardware with this finish. I want this piece in our house. But for $5500. I'll try my hand at having David make it?
In order to get this stain and finish we came up with a pretty good formula. Here are the parts/process.
DIY Restoration Salvaged Natural Finish
- sand stain-grade wood with 220 grit until ultra uber smooth
- mix 1 part minwax espresso 273 with 5 parts mineral spirits {stir, DO NOT shake}
{side note: I had David disassemble the end pieces of wood that ran the opposite direction of the others, so that when he applied the stain,there wouldn't be any doubling over of the stain etc. This proved to be a very good idea if I do say so myself }
- rub stain on with cloth, wiping away any excess as you go
- let it dry per manufacturer's instructions
- repeat if desired
- seal/finish wood with boiled linseed oil
{side note: the boiled linseed oil is AWESOME in that it gives the wood a more rich, but not darker color, and it saturates the wood fibers and protects them instead of a polyurethane coating that would sit on top of the wood and create a film. I wanted to make sure this table would patina and age with us}
- care for table by applying mineral oil every year or so (like a butcher block cutting board)
Love it! Y'all need your own HGTV show :)
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