Elsie's DIY Dining Room Table

Never in my wildest DIY-dreams did I think we would build a gigantic kitchen table! After searching (a LOT) and not finding the perfect table we started to consider making our own. We talked about DIYing a table, but didn't have the courage until we saw Rachel's and Emma's beautiful DIY tables. They gave us the confidence to know it could be done! We spent some time choosing how we wanted the table top to look including the width of the boards and the color of the finish. Then we jumped in with both feet... why not? Here's what happened:First we planned out how large we wanted the table to be. Our new house is an older house, so many of the rooms are regular sizes (compared to more standardized, modern homes). With these measurements we then went to a local hardware store and bought our lumber: 4 long planks for the top, 9 smaller planks bracing and framing the bottom, and 2 longer small planks to frame the outer edges. We used mostly pine (because it is pretty and affordable) with a few oak pieces among the 9 small planks to go on the bottom. Oak is a harder wood so our goal was to add stability. If you plan to replicate this project feel free to adjust what lumber you buy based on your dining room size. The important thing to note is the how the bottom of the table is assembled (see photo above).

I think we used right around 90 screws, most of a 100 piece box. :)

And we used four 3-prong hairpin legs, each is 28 inch tall.

Note: We spent about $350 on the supplies for this table that seats 8. :)Once we had all our supplies we spent a couple days (with a lot of help from Emma and Dad—thanks guys!) putting the table together. The goal was to create a stable surface with framing wood around all the edges so it would look more finished. We assembled the table upside down, then flipped it over, sanded and prepped it for staining.Tips for staining and sealing: Consider other woods or colored surfaces in your dining room before choosing a stain. The floors in our home are sort of a honey color, so we tried to choose a stain that mimic (but not matched) this tone. Be sure to wipe down and allow your table to dry before applying stain. Use a brush to lightly coat a small area and then use an old towel or cloth to wipe up any excess stain. You can always add more if needed, so go light for your first coat. Consult the product label for dry time recommendations. 

After staining we sealed our table with a polyurethane (pictured above). This gives the finish an extra coat of protection and makes it a little easier to clean/wipe down after meal times. I still recommend using coasters on a table like this with cold drinks.I am completely happy with our finished table. I love the woodgrain, the honey-colored finish and the simple hairpin legs. As a bonus, I'm so happy we were able to create a table that our family can grow into for such a reasonable price! 

I know that a DIY on this level isn't for everyone. Our dad helped us (a LOT... thanks again, Dad!) and it only took a few days to complete (including the building, staining and sealing) once we had all the supplies figured out.I hope that this post encourages some of you that you really can build your own dining room table! We've done a lot of DIY projects in our new home, and I am most proud of this one. We saved thousands of dollars and ended up with our dream table! Thanks for reading. xoxo. Elsie 

PS. I posted about our mismatched yellow chairs here.

Comments

[Melissa]

Oh Lordy! What a beaut & the perfect size. Usually when I run into pin legged tables they aren't as large as this puppy. Thanks def going into my file of DIYs for when I move out.

Melissa
Http://shakeshakee.blogspot.com

[Lindsay]

Oh, yes yes yes! I love it. Thanks for sharing and daring to do this! It makes me feel like we could too...

[anna]

Love IT! It's just gorgeous!

[Naomi A]

That's one professional looking table! Well done everybody!!

http://theoccasionalindulgence.blogspot.com/

[jesspants]

Gorgeous!

[Maria Anne]

this is exactly what i've been bugging my boyfriend to help me build for months! where are the hairpin legs from? I've seen some etsy and ebay dealers, which is where I'll probably get them from.
xoxo
maria anne

[A x]

It's gorgeous and looks way more expensive than it's $350 cost! A x

http://becomingraje.blogspot.co.uk/

[Hannah]

we've been looking for a table for our kitchen but you've inspired me to make our own - this looks so good!

[ChristanP]

I'd love to know where you bought the hairpin legs...I've been looking around for them

[Elsie Larson]

Hi guys! We got our hairpin legs here- http://hairpinlegs.com/ you can also get them on Etsy & eBay like a commenter said above! :D

So happy you're thinking of making one!

[Maria]

Wow it's beautiful! It's a good idea to make your own table if you can't find one that suits your room!

[Mrs. Baker]

it looks great! and i love the mismatched chairs!

[Yelle]

So beautiful! The wood you chose is gorgeous and I adore the little jars of babys breath on top!

[Kim]

DIY tip I learned from my Dad: for any kind of wood 'decking' (including a table top), examine the cross cut and make sure the "rings" curve downward, rather than upward like a cup. Even with all those screws, the natural drying and warping of the wood will - over time - cause the slats to curl up at the ends.

Love the look of the table. Has that sturdy rustic look but the pin legs make it not AS prohibitively heavy as a table that size would normally be

[Kristy Amanda]

♥

[The slow pace]

Well done! That's amazing!

[Katie Burke]

Wow you guys... I'm so inspired. The hard work really paid off, what a wonderful heirloom to have Elsie!!

[Marion Rayet]

Hi Elsie ! Hi Emma !

Just a word to say that your blog is SO AMAZING ^^ I really appreciate that moment every night when I come back home : I make tea and I look at your blog (kind of ritual ...)

Thanks to you and your precious advice, I finally launch my own blog : www.oselespaillettes.com (this is in french, "Ose les Paillettes" means Just dare glitter) and I recently did a DIY glitter vase with flowers just like yours in this post :-)
==> http://www.oselespaillettes.com/?p=894
I also add a link to your blog, I hope this is ok for you ?

THANK YOU for the smile I have when I look at your posts ! I wish you happy Christmas holidays !

Marion

[Annabelle]

I love everything about this. The stained table, the mismatched chairs looking all so good, and the polka dots. LOVE :)

[Eva]

Beautiful idea and great when you have a lot of guests ;) xx

www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com