Sorry, I have not posted this week. The family tagged along with my husband on a business trip. We went to Indiana and took a side trip to Lake Michigan. Along the way, I saw many old barns. I was the crazy lady with her camera out the car window, going down the interstate 70 miles an hour snapping pictures. Seeing all the barn wood, gave me so many ideas for craft projects. The main one is the farmhouse table from Restoration Hardware, http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1605030&navCount=3
I have loved this table for years but not the price tag. And then I found Ana, from Knock Off Wood posted the design to hack the table. I was giddy with excitement. I have been thinking about it for a few weeks, trying to decide what to make the table with. I really wanted to use reclaimed wood or old barn wood. There are a few people on Craigslist that sell barn wood, and I am sure it is a good price but it more than I am hoping to spend. For me part of the fun in being creative, building and making new things is keeping the price low.
I decided to place an ad on Craigslist, saying I was looking for barn wood, just enough to build a table. Within 1 hour, I got a response. A wonderful gentleman had an 80 year old barn that was blown down in a storm and was still on his property. He said we could come get whatever we wanted and pay him whatever we felt it was worth? How does one decide that? So my husband went out there to collect some wood. When he got there it was an interesting adventure
The barn had been blown over quite some time ago, it was overgrown. He heard snakes, and stirred up a wasp nest. He came home with chigger bites and covered in beggar’s lice. The wood was very wet and a great deal of it is warped. But there are some gems in all the mess, the rafters of the barn are large 2 x 6 oak boards. They are still attached to the apex of the barn and headers. He is going to get a chain saw and go back out there to collect some, they will be perfect for the table top. I think we will be able to get most of what is needed for the table.
He did bring a few pieces for us to see what kind of wood and work we are looking at.
.
One of the many barn photos I took this week.
Chigger bites,lice, snakes & wasps- I bet he was thinking it might be worth the price for the other! :) Love the idea of the table! How big are you going to make it?
ReplyDeleteI have an old barn of which we just removed the chicken coupe. The wood is cypress. I want to build a kitchen island table out of some of the wood. I like your idea so keep me posted.
ReplyDelete