Reclaimed Wood Console Table

After we completed our kitchen renovation we were left with a giant open space. Now don't get me wrong I'm not complaining about a giant open space...it just left an awkward open space in between our family room and living room. I tried putting a table a neighbor gave me that I refinished with paint to match our kitchen cabinets but the size wasn't right and I was going for more of an organic look to the room. I then went on the hunt for 'the perfect table.' I wanted an L-shaped table that could serve as both a console table for lamps, books, remotes as well as a computer desk. It had to be large enough to store our boys' toy boxes underneath. I couldn't find it anywhere and it would have been a fortune to have custom built. Then I read about John and Sherry's giant console table over at Young House Love and was smitten. Love at first sight.

I spent a few months plotting my approach. Because this was my first attempt at furniture building I figured the 'reclaimed wood' look would hide the inevitable mistakes (not to mention hide any future damage my 3 young boys would inflict) and wouldn't it provide an interesting story to tell at all of my fabulous dinner parties? Right, like that ever happens.

Thanks to google I found Manayunk Timber, a reclaimed lumber yard in Philadelphia, and chose a pine beam from an 1860's paper mill. Steve, the owner, planed them into the sizes I needed. The beams still had the old bolt holes in them when I picked them up, which, at first made my heart sink. Then I realized they just added to the story so moved ahead with my project.

This is truly a 'before' shot:
There are two sets of 3 planks about 6-7" wide each (1 set was 5' long and the other set was 7.5' long to form the L-shape). I roughed it up with a hammer and screwdriver and then sanded them down to give everything a smooth finish. The key to a 'worn' look is to make it as random as possible. If you just hit it with a hammer every 6" it'll look like someone hit it with a hammer every 6" and who really wants that look?

I applied one coat of Minwax dark maple on all the planks before we assembled the table because we were afraid that if the planks were to eventually separate a little you would see unfinished wood in the gaps. Then my stud muffin husband and I attached the planks together using both biscuits and 10" metal plates and bolts (sprayed painted with oil rubbed bronze paint). You could probably get away with not using biscuits if you didn't have that tool but because our table was so large we wanted to ensure everything was solid. The legs were $15 each from IKEA that I sprayed in oil rubbed bronze paint. I used 6 because it was such a large table and needed the support. I then applied a 2nd coat of Minwax dark maple and then sealed the whole thing with 3 coats of SafeCoat.

The toy boxes are really end tables from IKEA and the chair is a knock off wishbone chair from Overstock.com.

I love the bolt holes. Perfect for my laptop, cell phone and lamp plugs! A very happy accident.

Bam! A custom made table with a story all for under $400!

Can you imagine if the former workers in the mill that held this beam knew that those holes would eventually be used for cell phone charging????

Shared at: Oopsey Daisy House of Hepworths