Image via Better Homes & Gardens magazine
I'm calling it the Friendly Family table because the finish of the original is so bright and friendly. It's the kind of table that will welcome your guests in and invite them to stay. It's relaxed and comfortable so everyone can feel right at home. And what a perfect table for the center of life with your own family! The big work surface is great for homework, crafts, coloring, and of course dinner together. But enough chit chat, let's get started!
Read all the steps before beginning (and the notes on making the tabletop). Work on a level surface. Cut your pieces as you go, double checking measurements before each cut. Pre-drill and countersink your holes, and always use glue. Use necessary safety precautions, and don't forget to have fun!
Shopping List:
1 - 4x4 @ 8'
1 - 2x6 @ 6'
2 - 2x4 @ 10'
4 - 2x10 @ 6'
wood glue
2.5" Kreg Jig screws and a Kreg Jig (OR regular 4.5" wood screws)
2.5" wood screws
4 - 3" large bolts with washers (optional)
Finished dimensions are 60" long x 37" wide x 30" tall. You can easily adjust the length by changing the length of your table top & stretcher.
Cut List:
(A) 4 - 4x4 @ 23.5" (legs)
(B) 2 - 2x6 @ 15" (side stretcher)
(C) 6 - 2x4 @ 28" (base)
(D) 2 - 2x4 @ 28" (top support)
(E) 1 - 2x6 @ 42" (stretcher)
(F) 4 - 2x10 @ 60" (top)
Start by connecting two legs (A) with a side stretcher (B). Work on a level surface to make sure your legs are straight and even. The side stretcher should be set up 9.25" from the base of the legs, and roughly centered across the width of the legs. The easiest way to attach it would be with the Kreg Jig & 2.5" Kreg screws, but in a pinch you could drill through the legs into the ends of the stretcher if you can find long enough screws (4.5" long).
Next notch out all the base pieces (C). On the first piece, measure in 2" from each the top corner and make a mark. Then measure 2" down from each top corner and make a mark. Draw a curved line (or use a bowl as a template) connecting the two lines at each corner. Cut along the lines with a jigsaw. For the bottom notch, measure in 6.5" from each edge and make a mark. The 15" space between these marks will be the notch. Draw a line 1" above the bottom edge between the marks, and round the corners at the ends. Cut along the lines with a jigsaw.
Use this first board as a template and trace your notches on the remaining five base boards. One you have them all cut out, attach three boards together side-by-side using 2.5" screws and wood glue. Start by drilling through the center board into the outside board, then through the inside board into the center board (this will put the only visible screws on the inside of the base with none on the outside). You'll probably need to use a sander to smooth out any unevenness between the notches. Repeat with the remaining three boards to create the other base.
Attach one base to the leg section you built. You can use a Kreg Jig with pocket holes ( I would do pocket holes on two sides of the leg since they are so thick), or drill up through the base into the bottom of the legs with 4.5" screws.
Attach the top support (D) across the top of each leg section. It should overhang 3" on each side. Drill down through the support board into the top of the legs with 2.5" screws (put two into each leg). Repeat this process to build the second leg section.
Connect the two leg sections together with the center stretcher (E). Center it on the side stretchers with 6.75" of space on either side. You can attach it with a Kreg Jig and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws, drill through the side stretcher into the ends of the center stretcher with 2.5" screws, or get the look of the inspiration photo by using large lag screws to drill through the side stretchers, into the ends of the center stretcher (look for black screws or try spray-painting whatever screws you can find!).
Next create the top. Center the top on the table base with a 6.5" overhang on each end and 4.5" overhang on each side. Drill up through the support boards into the bottom of the tabletop boards with 2.5" screws. Try to get two screws into each board. I prefer to attach all the top boards together side-by-side with the Kreg Jig first, then attach the top all at once. If you don't have a Kreg Jig you can attach each board one at a time. (Ana White has some great tips for building table tops if you want a few more pointers before you get started.)
I prefer a wider plank look for the top, but you can switch out the 1x10's for a different size if you prefer! If you like the super narrow boards of the original table you could try 1x2's turned on their side, but you might need to run them through a table saw first to take off any rounded corners so you don't have a bunch of crevices to clean out after you eat.
Fill any holes with wood filler, then sand everything smooth. Start with a rough paper and work your way to a finer paper. Don't skimp on the sanding, it really makes a difference in how professional your finished project looks! Then finish it with any paint or stain and polyurethane you like! For the inspirations photo look, try a stained and polyurethaned top with the base painted a sea foam green.
If you love the style of the eat-in kitchen in the inspiration photo, you can get a similar look with a few great accent pieces!
Start with you new Friendly Family Farmhouse Table, of course, and then a built-in bench is a great addition if you have the space. Add few aluminum dining chairs along the other side. Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to add color and personality to a space (and especially great if you have bench seating). Try mixing bright geometric pillows with a more organic bird silhouette pillow. A ceramic flower pot or vase with some bright blooms is a perfect centerpiece to keep the space feeling warm and fresh. And finally if you're working on an eat-in kitchen, I love the yellow subway tile backsplash that extends right up to the dining area and creates a beautiful accent for the dining space (if you're working in a dining room, yellow curtains could also do the trick).
That's it for this Friday Hack! What are you working on this weekend?
What about hanging a basket off the leg support cross pieces for supplies when you want to shut at thus table to work, such as pencil, pen, note pad, calculator, and Post It notes?
ReplyDeleteThat would be great! And easy to clear the table when you need to, but still keep things handy. :)
DeleteI'm confused about the bolts - what do they bolt to? How do they hold the stretcher snugly enough so it doesn't work its way loose? Wouldn't someone want to use lag screws or something? Or are the bolts used just as decoration in conjunction with pocket screws to actually hold the stretcher in place?
ReplyDeleteHi! Sorry for the confusion. I was intending it as a decorative element just to add a little character. But you're right a lag screw would definitely be better if you're actually using them to hold it together! I'll update the wording and try to make it a little more clear. Thanks!
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