Need help with bench and table

16 years ago

Sorry for the long story. Renovating our 1825 and we came along some wood. I never let any contractor throw anything out in case we will use it (thank goodness I have a big basement). A new floor for the playroom was added to the attic (old servant quarters) and the old floor was removed (in garage). It's from 1825 - appears hand planed old growth wide pine planks with lots of knots (and large holes). Not a "nice" floor but for the servants. When we gutted our kitchen there were a subfloor and painted floor above the 1st floor ceiling (the addition is around 1840-1860 and this floor looks more "machine made" but better quality pine). It was covered by 16" framing and then another floor for over 100 years and very well protected during that time.

In the corner of my kitchen I want a corner built-in bench and a 30" wide trestle table. I was thinking of using the kitchen "ceiling -floor" for the bench and buy an old growth table. Now I think I have enough wood for everything. Maybe buy a trestle bottom from craig's list and make a top out of the wood. A few questions -

1. which wood should I use where - the bench, the table

2. wherever I use the painted floor (it's worn and not uniformily painted grey) do I just seal it as is? I like the idea of using the grey painted floor but worry it won't go with my color scheme.

3. At one point I thought I would paint (or stain) the bench the same color as my red range.

4. I have cherry cabinets and an oak floor. Adding a 3rd wood to the mix might be too much?

Here's the kitchen corner for table and bench and a few pics of my kitchen.

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Comments (6)

someone2010
16 years ago
The point being that you want to make these things yourself?
bostonpam
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, we would make it ourselves but which wood to use. Also, should we paint the wood, leave as is or strip to bare pine? Sorry for the confusion.
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allnewappliances
16 years ago
Can you make one for me too LOL I'm currently in the process of looking for a large farm style trestle table with chairs and haven't come across one that I love so good for you that you are able to make one!!! I'm a little jealous.
bostonpam
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, my DH doesn't know about the table yet (he's making the pantry shelves, the bench, a bathroom cabinet (done), a built in cabinet...) but I wouldn't call him a "woodworker". These are all firsts for him. He has all the tools so I'm just having him actually use them. LOL - His last project was a trebuchet for a 7th grade project. (A trebuchet (from the French trÃ¯Â¿Â½buchet) is a siege engine that was employed in the Middle Ages) My son won the tennis throwing contest with it. DH is a perfectionist so I know whatever he will build will easily meet my standards.
boxerpups
16 years ago
Hey Pam,

Here are a few good links that give simple plans to
build benches, corner benches, or kitchen tables.
You are sooooo lucky to have a husband who can build
a Trebuchet. Awesome! Your son must have been thrilled.

~boxerpups

Scotthohl.com

Painted Oak

Nook

Pink Kitchen

Nooks

Bench
http://www.woodworkingcorner.com/storeagebench.php

Lumber
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/2703
adh673
16 years ago
I'm no expert here other than I love the look you are describing. I would use bare wood personally but chemically strip it so as not to lose the aged patina of the pine and finish with a hard wax oil or waterlox. I am not even sure the old gray paint would be safe with lead concerns though I am not sure when lead got into paint.

I'm not clear on the two versions of pine you have other than they are both old and one is painted. I would not worry about the wood variation however, I think it looks odder when it matches (my just demo'ed kitchen cabinet and table matched by accident, sort of bugged me). I am planning on putting a pine table from antiques made daily in my painted maple and knotty alder kitchen with walnut floors- so perhaps you should take my advice with a grain of salt! :-) What I am doing is somewhat matching the tone of the knotty alder with a saddlebrown that also sort of relatable with the walnut floors. So three woods but they are in similar tones.

I think it sounds goregous- there are also table making kits online that have legs and aprons ready for planks to be added on top. I started down this path but decided to ditch my current table instead of redoing and getting a smaller one.