Simplistic Elements

Hey friends!

Let me just start by saying I had no idea how long the processes of building a table would take. I think a part of the process is that you have to work around life’s daily schedule. So while our table is almost done it is not yet completed. Close enough though, where I wanted to update you all on the progress and how we arrived at this point so far. My other half did the fundamentals and well lets face it, they built it not me. lol I did the staining 🙂

Here are my disclaimers and tips for all of you interested in building a wood table!

1. Size: know your measurements! Our table was a 3×5. Also know how this will translate to the necessary amount of wood. Key because when you are purchasing wood you want it to all be from the same shipment so it looks identical. We had to go to several Lowe’s as we found out that not all stores carry the same wood
2. Know the type of wood you are using. Do your research on this especially if you are planning on staining or doing some kind of treatment to it. We happened to pick Douglas Fir and it wasn’t the friendliest with the staining process.
3. Research and youtube your life away! People have done this before no need to reinvent the wheel!
4. Gather the tools you will need! We needed:
   1. Miter Saw (rented from HomeDepot for $30 24hr)
   2. Circular saw (borrowed from brother)
   3. Nail gun (borrowed again)
   4.  Sander (purchased)
   5. Sand paper (purchased)
   6. Wood glue (purchased)
   7. Wood conditioner (purchased)
   8. Stain (purchased)
   9. Pickling (if you choose)
5. There are waiting periods. You have to wait several hours for wood glue to set. The wood conditioner has to set in for 15 minutes and then wood has to be completely dry before staining. Between each stain coat there is another 15 minute waiting period. Then another one for the pickling.
6. Sanding requires patience….and lots of dust, but this is a crucial step so DO NOT LEAVE IT OUT
7. Precise cuts are necessary especially when doing this chevron pattern. Gaps can happen if its not precise but some quick fixes with sawdust and wood glue make it seem as if it didn’t happen.
8. Have space to build your table. We made this work on our balcony, but the more space the better for supplies and maneuvering around your table top.

I will admit I would have loved to film this entire process like all of the youtubes I saw but its just not that easy. So I appreciate each person taking time to record their process allowing us to have an idea of how to go about this. I also give most of the credit to my better half who did the constructing of the table and loved every minute of it!

We are currently working on putting on the edges of the table. Our original pieces did not work as we wished. Apart of that was the cuts to the woods along with the thickness of the pieces. We should be adding the edges this week and purchasing chairs next week. Current debate is adding an Epoxy coat or not. Biggest debate is the epoxy process in our condo…if no epoxy we will need to add a top coat. The epoxy may take place at a later time as there’s much to debate.

Anyways our current final product is this white wash gray.

We used the below products to get this color.

I know many of you are looking for step by steps and details so I will work on those for the next blog along with the videos we used for instruction and inspiration. I can’t wait to have a fully functioning dining room again and to stage some great pictures for all of you. Until next time, which I hope to be soon!