When we moved into our new home, we didn't have a dining room table. I knew pretty much what my husband and I both wanted, but finding it was no easy task, and the price was not exactly in our budget.
After a bit of research, I decided that I could probably build what we want for a lot less than what we could buy one for.
So, where to begin was the question.
My brother in law, who owns the old barn on my husband's family farm, allowed us to use some of the old barn boards that had been left inside the barn.
Our local school district offers woodworking classes through the Adult Ed. Program each spring and fall. This is the same school district I work for, as well.
Since I don't own all the right tools needed to build the table, this was the perfect place.
I had no blueprints or plans, but knew in my mind what we basically wanted. How hard could building a table be?
It just needs 4 legs and a top, right?
Well.....
It stands without wobbling!
That's good, right?
I planed the boards down until they were smooth. They were pretty rough and covered in pigeon poo.
Although the top was easy enough to make, it still needed legs.
Remember, I was doing this on a budget, so free wood fit that perfectly. THANK YOU MICHAEL! I could have bought legs at our local building supply, but I really wanted to keep going with the barn theme.
While searching around the old barn, I noticed the old ladder leading up to the hay loft had rotted away and fallen down.
Hmmm? Is that opportunity I smell, or just old hay?
After some quick thinking, I grabbed the better parts of the old ladder, and got out before I became a pigeon stoop.
I took what was left of the rotted rungs off the ladder and cut the good parts of the rails down for legs.
I really loved the idea of this table, because this barn was part of the farm my husband grew up on. Knowing that it was made with the rails of a ladder that he climbed as a child was very special.
Once I had it built and got it home, I just needed to decide what color to stain it.
Sometimes decisions like this can take a while, so it sat unfinished from Thanksgiving until yesterday.
The result.....
...a table we both love!
I hope it will be passed on down to our children, and their children for many years to come.
Blessings,
Julie
