Software
Houzz Logo Print
sophie123_gw

Unfinished furniture quality

13 years ago

I need a 36"x72" trestle type table for my kitchen. Its a tight space (builtin benches) so it needs to be pretty exact. I found a whitewood unfinished furniture trestle table that you can buy unfinished or have it finished for an extra cost.

Lots of websites and local shops offer it. Does anyone have experience with Whitewood? I imagine its made in china based on its widespread availability. I have attached a link. I wanted something fairly traditional to go with our pottery barn ladderback/rush seat chairs.

I've looked at other options and they are very expensive if they have the size or the quality seems not so great. (i've looked at ballard, pottery barn, crate & barrel, world market, restoration hardware). Some semicustom options exist but they get very pricey quickly.

thanks for any thoughts!

Here is a link that might be useful: whitewood trestle table

Comments (7)

  • 13 years ago

    It's a low quality rubberwood that will be difficult to finish and won't be durable. It's cheap for a reason. You can find the same thing on Craigslist or better for less money than this probably costs.

  • 13 years ago

    I completely disagree with Hollysprings. Rubberwood is a very durable wood and if you are staining the bare wood, it can stain very easily. It may not be birch or maple, but it has some very positive traits to it.

    We bought an unfinished white wood coffee table 10 years ago and it's still going strong even after several moves. I stained it a chestnut color and it took the stain very nicely. The table is quite heavy, very strong and it never scratches or dings. I also have a parawood kitchen table I bought 20 years ago, from Kmart. :c) It's an old farm styled table I couldn't bear to get rid of. The top had that 80's natural plank wood look to it and was in pretty poor condition. I sanded the entire finish off and restained it in walnut just last month. It's BEAUTIFUL and I couldn't be happier with it. The trick is to sand the wood well before staining it and to use a poly that is not a quick dry poly. I have found that Minwax stain and General Finishe's Poly work best for my projects.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Rubberwood information.

  • 13 years ago

    I agree with lukkiirish. I have finished parawood pieces purchased unfinished and found them easy to stain and durable once completed. It's easy to finish and durable with a minimal grain pattern. Very nice!

  • 13 years ago

    Trestle tables are an easy DIY project. If you have enough skills to finish this furniture, you have enough skills to build one. And you can be pickier about the materials that you use and get a higher quality end result than buying questionable imports.

    Otherwise, I have seen first cousins to that table on my local Craigslist in solid oak for around $100. It's not an odd size at all. Recycle one!

  • 13 years ago

    Actually I bought a temporary This End Up table i got off craigslist for $60! It is well used table but very sturdy. Ie the finish looks terrible - dirty, dull, spots of kids paint etc. It is also 9" too short but I'm considering how i could make it work long term until i find or can afford my perfect table.

    Here is a link that might be useful: this end up

  • 13 years ago

    I bought their unfinished farmhouse table, lightly sanded and wiped it down well with denatured alcohol and it stained beautifully.

  • 13 years ago

    I disagree , I bought an unfinished table and chairs from WOOD U 11 years ago. We carefully followed the directions and they stained great, I think they were the rubber tree mentioned.
    I gave them to my daughter to use in her apartment ( aka 20 something party house) and it came back to us after 18 months with no damage and the few stains present wiped off with a little scrubbing. I will be replacing the seat cushions and maybe tightening a few of the chairs up, but this set is going to go in the attic for our youngest sons future college apt :)