Dining Room Tables

I guess if I had a favorite thing to build it would be tables,, probably because they are pretty easy! This one was my template that I worked on with my dad with some cool old oak he had. It's the first thing I see when I walk in the front door! Makes me think of him.

The first thing you have to do is build the base

These are biscuits, and lots of wood glue

 then biscuit and clamp the top together

These legs seemed too small for this table so we put thicker ones on it

Not the greatest picture but liked how this one turned out.

fFi

The one that got away!

Oh, you know when you cannot decide if you "need" something.. and then you're so bummed you didn't get it? I went back a month later to Kansas City to get this box to no avail. :( You were almost mine, sweet sweet old box. The worst part is it was only $20! I was going to use it as a side table.

Making a metal and wood bookcase

' The Inspiration' from Hudsongoods $1595, and yes I could not figure out how to copy and paste that picture so I just sent it from my phone. And my husband will confirm it is a miracle I am making this blog all by myself. I'm like that scene in Zoolander, "the files are IN the computer"

First step, pick out the materials. This is my first time to a saw mill. Similar to your first trip to Disney World, just that you may lose a finger, but definitely super cool. The owner while showing me all the types of wood kept saying "Now this heres yer poplar which is a kissin' cousin to yer white oak, which is a kissin' cousin to yer".... I've never heard that. Again, Oklahoma, teaching me things.

So my friend Elliot is a jack of all trades, welding being one of them. We (he) cut the metal and laid it out on the floor, picked the sides we liked for the front and Elliot worked his magic. I have in the past, drilled holes with my drill press and secured it with bolts and lock-tite. This needed a little more support.

Now I have to cut this sweet oak I got at the saw mill. It was dark grey and dirty when I got it but after A LOT of sanding and I mean like 10 hours of sanding it has the best texture. I asked my friend if it's weird that I want to slow dance with this wood? She said please just don't tell anyone that!

Tada!

 Add some old books and cool boxes and it looks like it was made for this space. Haha it was! The materials cost about $200. And don't get me wrong it was labor intensive and time consuming if you factor in driving to the mill (2 hours away) Not to mention each of those shelves weighs like 75lbs. But so satisfying when it's all done! When we put it in place at my friend's house we jumped up and down and did little claps and side kicks! Another great perk to being girl/builders. hehe.

We wired and hung vintage lights on either side. I'll get some pics and show you a real easy way to wire and hang a light. If you find a cool light at a thrift store and it has no cord you can do it up yerself!  yep, yerself, or you and yer cousin!