My new farmhouse table!

13 years ago

I had some money squirreled away to buy a new dining table for our family once our kitchen remodel was done. I was planning on a farmhouse table of some sort, and I really liked the ones that Restoration Hardware has currently.

Unfortunately, when we decided to spring for new wood casement windows for our kitchen remodel, the money had to come from somewhere, and that somewhere was our table fund.

Since we're a family of 14 and haven't fit around one table in a few years, having a BIG dining table was still really important to me, especially for when the kitchen/dining reno is done. I decided to ask my dad to help me recreate one of the simpler RH tables (which, incidentally, would run over $3000 with shipping!)

From Last Import

My dad agreed to help me, and for a fraction of the cost of the RH table, we built one ourselves. Of course, mine is not made from fabulous reclaimed English pine (it's white oak), but I'm very happy with it and can't wait to see it at home in my dining room. :o)

Here's an in-process pic:

From Last Import

And here is an almost finished pic. I'm waiting on 4 brackets I ordered to help support the breadboard ends (my hubby and daughter are holding up the ends in this photo), and then I will be able to stain it. I'm debating between trying to recreate the look of the RH table or applying a darker stain, so I plan to experiment quite a bit on scrap pieces.

From Last Import

I'm thrilled with the table but especially grateful for the time I got to spend with my dad. This table will always mean far more to me than something I could have purchased. Now to decide which of my 12 kids will get it when I croak! ;o)

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Comments (44)

worldmom
Original Author
13 years ago
Here's one more picture that shows the grain of the wood a little better. We just shoved furniture out of the way and plopped it in our living room because our dining room is full of construction junk, so none of the pictures are very good.
From Last Import
mtnrdredux_gw
13 years ago
That is beautiful, just beautiful and lucky you what a wonderful story.
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I like the dark too, but think you should do a natural finish. To me this means stain it how you want, waterlox it or something else that will wear and can be easily repaired, or that can just wear and get some patina. My sister and sister in law just bought beautiful tables that have a fancy finish, and on the first use there were tears when something spilled or a child's fairy wand scratched it. There was really no great way to repair it because it was a hard finish at the surface and that was damaged. For your table, you want it to be well loved (I have one like this too, I posted it on your last post on this topic) and it will get scratches and spills and it should be a great place to gather and hang out vs. a "keep away from the precious table" kind of piece. So, look for something that soaks into the wood -- I used this product 15 years ago by Minwax (they don't make it anymore) that had a stain and a sealer all in one. Every couple of years I take a cloth and wipe on another coat and the table is rich looking again -- I don't bother to sand out the scratches and stuff --- but could. It doesn't require a furniture refinisher. Also, my sister who bought a fancy table and had the fairy wand incident found a website called the furniture butler. They have lots of waxes and finishes that can do wonders.... even repairing her situation. Good luck, can't wait to see it! It is already beautiful! Here is a link that might be useful: the furniture butler
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plllog
13 years ago
Looks terrific! Great work.

So....chairs?
stacieann63
13 years ago
It's beautiful! Wow! What a talented family. Please post pics when it is stained and in place.
worldmom
Original Author
13 years ago
plllog - these are the chairs and the chandelier (minus the shades) :o)
From Last Import
From Last Import
From Last Import
beaglesdoitbetter1
13 years ago
Beautiful table! And beautiful chandelier. Do you mind if I ask where the chandelier is from/ brand?

Thanks!
worldmom
Original Author
13 years ago
beagles - it's from Pierre Deux, but when searching for a pic, I discovered they no longer carry it. Circa carries a couple of similar (and unfortunately, pricier) ones:

http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=113 (large)
http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=114 (small)
flwrs_n_co
13 years ago
You'll make wonderful memories around that beautiful table! And what a special heirloom to pass down!
ae2ga
13 years ago
That's a fantastic table! You and your family will enjoy it greatly.
User
13 years ago
Beautiful but especially so due to the memories. Whoever gets the table will have to be the one most likely to have the size house and the will to host all the get togethers for the next generation :) c
prill
13 years ago
That's beautiful and what a wonderful story. Can't wait to see the completed room!
mythreesonsnc
13 years ago
worldmom, it is beautiful! When I was a kid I did woodworking projects with my dad. Once I got married, my dad did several projects with my husband. In our last house I picked out some wood I liked (from my dad) and gave them dimensions and they made me a table. I LOVE it! Anyway, several years ago my dad died unexpectedly and I have to say, that table means so much to me, and it gets so many compliments. When we sold that house, the buyers wrote in they wanted the house sale to include the dining room table! I wouldn't sell it at any price because it is meaningful.

Enjoy your table --- what a wonderful piece, and so much more special for you than if you'd plopped down the $3000!

Here's mine....

P.S. I think Ethan Allen has a version of the Visual Comfort chandelier....
craftlady07
13 years ago
I really love this table!! DH and I will be hopefully making a table out of reclaimed chestnut when our friend tears down his his 100+ year old house and I'm super excited about the idea of also having an heirloom table (no kids to pass it down to just yet).

What a priceless gift you have created with your dad, I love the story this table will tell for the rest of its life :) And how wonderful that your whole will be able to enjoy meals together!!
beekeeperswife
13 years ago
Worldmom, wow, what a great table. And to have built it with your dad, that is priceless.

I don't think I ever read that you have 12 children. How wonderful for you.

That table says so many things besides "RH imitation", I see "Love" leading that list.

-Bee
luv2shopml
13 years ago
This is a beautiful story and you are so right: this special 'Dad-made' table will fill up with even more precious memories as the years go by! When I was small my parents had a large family and no money, so Dad made a huge dining table from 2 wide boards salvaged from the attic of our 1838 house. It was the coolest thing and the wood was incredible. Everyone who came in the house wanted to sit at it.(My friends now in their 50's still talk about sitting around it!) It was the only thing all us kids wanted when my parents moved into a smaller place--we held a mini-lottery and ironically the brother who has no kids got it!
eandhl
13 years ago
Beautiful table, how nice you especially enjoyed the time with your dad.
pinch_me
13 years ago
How lucky are you!! Love it.
remodelfla
13 years ago
Lucky you worldmom... and a more beautiful or special table could not be bought anywhere for any amount of money. May you and your family enjoy it for years to come.
lawjedi
13 years ago
I absolutely love this story and your table. Far more meaningful and special than a store-bought table.

(and as an aside, would have loved to see the buyer's face when the very emphatic NO came down the line about her heirloom table!!)
boxerpups
13 years ago
Worldmom,

I am just teary eyed. It is beautiful but your words about
making this with your father are precious. I am thrilled
for you. Please get a family photo (not for GW) of you, your
family and especially your father around the table.
And one day each child will have a copy of that photo
to have forever. And with that photo will be memories of
their grandfather,their mom and the love that is passed
down forever.

That must have been the best Valentine's gift ever.
~boxer
sabjimata
13 years ago
excellent all around!
research_queen
13 years ago
So nice that your table has sentimental value AND function. Can't wait to see the final product!

And OMG you have 12 kids!! That is so amazing. I think you may be my hero! ;)
worldmom
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful words, everyone. I've been so emotional over this darn table. My dad has a Facebook account which he very rarely uses, but yesterday my mom asked me if I had seen what he'd written there. I looked last night and found that he had posted pictures of us and the table, along with a little blurb about how meaningful it had been to spend so much time with me. I lived nowhere near my parents since I was 18 and only got to see them once a year or so until they moved here last year. It's been so wonderful to have them near us and for my kids to be able to be around their grandparents.

Here's a shot of us working on the table:
From Last Import

And here's a picture of my cute dad surrounded by some of my kiddos at my sister's house:
From Last Import
kathec
13 years ago
NICE!

I think you should keep it on the lighter end. Check out General Finishes Antique Oak. It doesn't seem to have that orangey goldy color. Just an aged tone like the wood was left untreated and it turned a bit brown. To pull this off, you'll probably need to go with the satin finish. Nothing too shiny.
rafor
13 years ago
Fabulous table and fabulous story and fabulous family!!!!!! You win the fabulous award :)
Adrienne2011
13 years ago
It would be really cool if everyone could carve their names on the underside of it, with his name in the middle.
cat_mom
13 years ago
What a terrific story and a terrific table (and a terrific dad, of course)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
beaglesdoitbetter1
13 years ago
Thanks for the chandelier info worldmom.

Beautiful family and I'm sure you guys are going to really enjoy eating great meals around that table :)
michiganrachel
13 years ago
Wow! Your table is amazing and so special that you built it with your dad! I love sevrything about it!

Wow! 12 kids! That's a big family! How do you do it all? You have obviously grown your family through adoption. Can I ask where all your kids are from? I have a daughter adopted from China and am always so in awe of those in the adoption community who have opened their hearts and homes to so many kids who need families. I would love to adopt another but my hands are full with the 3 kids I have!

Enjoy your table for years to come!
worldmom
Original Author
13 years ago
Rachel - we have 4 bio kids, 3 from China, 3 from Haiti and 2 from Ethiopia. It was not part of The Plan. ;o) I wanted three kids, but somehow, we found ourselves with 12. Most of the time it's pretty fun. As you might expect, I spend a lot of time in the laundry room and kitchen, so it's nice to have new spaces in the works.
kompy
13 years ago
Love your table! I lost my parents within 5 months of each other about 10 yrs ago. We were VERY close....had a family business together and I treasure all 14 yrs we worked together in our tiny office. I agree with what everyone said. This table has meaning now...not just a purchase.
marmoreus
13 years ago
What a great treasure for your family and I am also in awe of you as a mother. Thanks for sharing!
boxerpups
13 years ago
Worldmom,
I could cry even more now. Sweet picture.
And even more sweet that he lives closer
to all of you. Bless you, your dad, mom and your
box of dozen.
~boxer
rhome410
13 years ago
It's BEAUTIFUL...and so great you got to build it with your dad. I can't imagine that you've gone so long without everyone able to sit together for a meal. That is so wonderful and important to me, so I'm especially happy that you'll be able to do that now.
Christine Clemens
13 years ago
Wow, worldmom. It's a beauty. How wonderful it must have been to have that time with your dad. You are a very talented team. The thought of all of you gathered at the table makes me cry. I would love to see pics of it in action.
marthavila
13 years ago
First of all, God bless you! I've always wondered about your handle, with heavy suspicion that you have a very diverse, multinational family. But 4 biological children PLUS 8 more adoptees from several continents around the world? All of whom you are showering with the comforts of home, love and family? OMG, Worldmom. You are truly an earthly angel! Secondly, as for the story of building this family table with your dad, how great that is! Forget RH's farm table! As others have said, this table that you and your dad have built is now priceless. Thank you so much for sharing just a bit of your story with us. Have you considered blogging? I bet you have a ton of precious stories to share!
regina_phalange
13 years ago
Wow, it looks fabulous!!! And how much more special and meaningful to have something that your dad made. Love it!
lavender_lass
13 years ago
Worldmom- It's a beautiful table and a wonderful story. I am so happy you and your family are able to spend more time with your parents! Your dad looks so happy, on the sofa, with his grandchildren :)
arlosmom
13 years ago
Worldmom, beautiful table, beautiful family. Ditto what marthavila said. She's wonderfully eloquent. Do you really all fit at the table at the same time? How long will the table live in the living room until you can move it to the dining room? I remember those joys of construction all too well. I'm so glad it's over.
timber.j
13 years ago
Worldmom-beautiful family! You and your dh look like teenagers, still!

I love the story about your table. We are following in your footsteps-needing a larger table (our 11th is due in August). I really like the RH tables, too, but they are out of my budget! :) Hopefully my dh will have time to build our table sometime in the midst of this remodel. Right now, we have the table that my FIL made that my dh grew up eating at. We almost fit at it still...

Have you looked at finishing your table with Monocoat, like RH mentions? We used it on our walnut floor in the kitchen, and it is holding up very well-amazingly well considering the use and abuse it gets from our large famiy! I didn't think their clear oil did much for white oak, but they have many colors, too. We used chocolate on our floor.

Enjoy your new table! I'm sure you will have many happy meals at it with your family!
granite-girl
13 years ago
What a wonderful table & story ! No one has asked - How big do you make a table for 14 ?
shelayne
13 years ago
I have this huge lump in my throat. I couldn't have said it any better than marthavila. Your story truly humbles and inspires me.

God bless you and your family, worldmom. You and your dad are adorable, and your children are absolutely precious.

I can't wait to see pictures of the finished table. Thank you for sharing this with us.
oldhouse1
13 years ago
Well, what more can I possibly say? What a beautiful story and what a beautiful family. May you build many new memories around your table and may it be an everlasting tribute to your father and the love you have for each other and for your family.
carrie_eileen
13 years ago
My eyes are watering. Thank you for sharing this.