{DIY} Farmhouse Dining Table

Finally, I know. 

I have been promising this post for a very long time so let's get right down to business...
 
First of all, I owe Restoration Hardware a big “thank you!” I have had my little heart absolutely set on their Farmhouse Salvaged Wood Rectangular Extension Table for months. However, at a price tag of $2,995 {not including chairs, of course} the husband quickly said no way and offered to build the table. Although I was skeptical, I said okay and off to Home Depot we went…

I have received dozens upon dozens of emails requesting the tutorial for our farmhouse dining table. Just to give credit where credit is due, we followed the step by step tutorial from Tommy & Ellie’s Farmhouse Table post {found here}! Since I really only assisted in this project by providing moral support and photography, I may have missed some important details along the way. So if you are seriously considering building this table you should absolutely use Tommy's very thorough post.

Step 1: Build the tabletop. Lay 2×12″s and 2×10″s in an alternating pattern on a flat surface. Distress your wood by beating it with random objects {hammer, chains, etc.} to create small indentions. Sand each board down individually using a palm sander with 100 grit sandpaper. To fasten, Matt used metal brackets to attach the boards together. Sand the edges of the table really well.

*Note: we skipped Tommy’s pocket holes step. As a result, some of our boards have very slightly separated since. I kind of like it, but it drives Matt crazy.

Step 2: Umm, this part appeared to be the most difficult so I’ll just let Tommy explain it. Find step 2 {HERE}.

*Note: finding non-pressure treated 4x4’s was nearly impossible, so Matt used two 2x4’s instead.

Step 3: Smooth it out. Using a hand planer, smooth out the tabletop and sand it one last time. Wipe off any remaining saw dust with a damp cloth.

Step 4: Stain it. Apply a thick coat of stain using a cheap sponge brush. 24 hours later, apply a second coat of stain all around.

Step 5: Carve your initials. After all, you earned it!

Step 6: Let second coat of stain dry for 24 hours. Using 220 grit sandpaper, smooth it all out one more time. It takes some of the shine away but no worries the polyurethane will bring it all back. Make sure the stain is dry and be careful along the edges and keeping the sander in one place for too long. After it’s sanded down and smooth, wipe it down with a damp cloth and apply a coat of clear gloss polyurethane.

Now add your chairs and serve a fancy meal on your new table!

Total cost to build the table: $127! Take that, Restoration Hardware.

On to the other details... 

It took us months to find {and agree on} the perfect chairs and then we waited for them to go on sale. On one side we added 3 Madeleine Side Chairs from Restoration Hardware. We scored these on sale for $99 each {and free shipping}. Not bad.

For the other side Matt built a bench to match the table.
The head chairs were a bit harder to find since I kept changing my mind. We finally decided on a set of Linen Lydia Dining Chairs from World Market. We waited, and waited, and waited for these to go on sale before we snatched them at $219/set a few weekends ago!

I couldn't be happier with how this table turned out. I am so proud of my hubby for working so hard to build this from scratch {and saving us oodles of money}! 

Next project - decorating the walls in our dining room! Open to suggestions!