Brittney's dining room is a beautiful space, full of sunlight with light wood floors, styled in a classic open-plan American kitchen. But her dining table? Well, it had seen better days. She wanted something new, something elegant but with a touch of that mid-century modern vibe. It also needed to show off the wood without being too 'rustic,' and had to be sturdy yet light at the same time. Sounds a bit like a riddle, doesn't it? But not really, just the sign of an intelligent and creative mind. We were totally up for it. 🏋️♀️
We went with a twist on this design by Peter Hvidt, a designer from Denmark who was big in the mid-century modern period. The play of thickness in his table legs is seriously cool. His original designs are pretty round and heavy with stain. We wanted something lighter and a bit more 'woodsy,' so we sharpened those lines and ditched the stain to let the natural walnut shine
Brittney's previous table had a distinctively dark stain. With her living room being sunlit and featuring beautiful wooden floors and a cozy fireplace, we recognized the need for balance in the room's design. While matching the wood with the fireplace could've been an obvious choice, we wanted to avoid the room feeling too uniform or reminiscent of generic showrooms.
Our solution was walnut. We selected rough-cut boards that kept some of their natural edges, giving a nod to the authentic beauty of slabs. We aimed to maintain some of the wood's natural knots and character, striking a balance between the inherent charm of the wood and a more refined design. The result? A piece that complements the room while elevating its overall elegance.
The construction process of this piece was a memorable journey. We embarked on this build with raw, unrefined wood — a choice we deliberately made. Though this decision came with its challenges, especially during the initial phases, it undoubtedly paid dividends in the end.
The first stage, primarily involving milling, was intensive. Over two dedicated nights, we meticulously planed and jointed the lumber, ensuring each board was perfectly straight and square. This precision laid the foundation for the legs, which we meticulously crafted from rectangular prisms, eventually tapering them into our desired design. To achieve this, we designed a large tapering jig, which turned out to be invaluable.
Our focus then shifted to the tabletop. Made up of eight distinct boards, we toyed with numerous layouts, aiming to strike the right balance between grain symmetry and contrast. This design philosophy mirrored the dance between light and shadow in Brittney's space. Among the challenges, board number eight was particularly defiant, repeatedly cupping and warping post-glue-up. While it did test our patience, we eventually triumphed over its stubbornness.
The legwork, although pre-practiced on pine, presented its own set of unique challenges. A minor slip during the final cuts of the last leg sent a piece flying across the workshop at alarming speed. There were a few moments of emotion and disbelief, but after regaining composure, we crafted a worthy substitute and carried on with renewed determination.
Then the fun routing started. First, we inlayed a reccess under it to install a u shaped rail to give the table top more stability and then four rectangles where the plates where the legs would be attache could sit. Once all recesses were done I routed a grgeous bevel on the eged. Happilly no mistakes happened here and the table top and legs were ready. Finishing was smooth as is always is. And when I applied the oil at the end the beauty of the grain came up to reward me with its luster. It was a nice day.
The finishing process went smoothly. After sanding and raising the grain between each grade, we finished with a 220-grit sandpaper. We then applied two coats of Rubio Monocoat Pure. Anticipating the table's regular use for brunches and dinners, we ensured it was durable. To top it off, we added three coats of Odie's Wax and let it cure for a week. By the time it was delivered to Brittney's, the table was smooth and ready for its new home.
We need a place to sit!
So, after wrapping up the table, the Hansens realized, "Hey, we need somewhere to park ourselves!" Brittney then tossed me a fun challenge: whip up a bench echoing the table's vibe. I was all in for Round 2, using the lessons from the table build. Add to the mix, Brittney's keen eye picked out some rad chairs, and voilà – her dining room's now looking all kinds of awesome.
