I have wanted to build a farmhouse table since I first started building a couple of years ago. Our new house I showed you in the recent Home Tour has just the spot for one, so we got busy woodworking and today I am sharing the fruit of our labor. Using free plans from Ana White, we built a lovely table and matching benches. I have seen similar sets going for around $1200. Ours cost under $200! Building saves so much money, and is super gratifying. If you are intimidated by power tools, I am here to tell you that you can overcome the fear, just like I did!
I built my table using Ana White’s free DIY Farmhouse Table Updated Pocket Hole Plan, and the benches using her Farmhouse Bench Plan. As always her plans are amazing, and free! This site is my go to for all things woodworking. It is where I went to begin this journey, and as you can see in my Woodworking Project Gallery, I have built several of her lovely pieces! Our house is becoming a hand-built home, one plan at a time.
We decided to stain the top and paint the base white. Finishing each before attaching them together made things easier. We did this for the benches too.
I used Minwax Pre Stain Wood Conditioner on the table tops before staining. This evens out the surface of the wood and makes the stain take more evenly. I kinda feel like a pro when I stain after conditioning! The conditioner is easy to apply and one can is enough for several projects. You just apply with a lint free cloth, let it soak in for about 5 minutes and wipe away any excess conditioner. After 30 minutes, apply stain.
I used Minwax Gel Stain in Aged Oak. This is my first time using it, and it is gorgeous!
This is my first time using the Gel Stain. I applied it with Minwax’s Staining Brush. It is definitely less drippy/runny than the regular stain, but not as mess free as the Wood Finishing Cloths. Those are still my favorite, and if I didn’t want to try the Aged Oak so badly, I would have used the cloths! I am hooked and you will be too. Find out why they are so magical here: DIY Reclaimed Wood Headboard.
After the stain dried overnight, it was time to seal. I used Minwax Polyurethane in Clear Satin. I applied two coats, drying 4 hours between and sanding with 220 grit paper between coats as well.
For the legs, I primed and painted with white glossy latex paint we had leftover from painting out trim. It took 2 coats.
I am completely in love with this set. It took a couple of weeks to build all three pieces and finish them, but I was busy with several other projects at the same time. If you were determined, you could do this in a weekend.
Have you braved power tools? If not, I hope you are a little closer to taking the leap now. It is so worth it!!
