For about $100 in wood and 4 hours of our time we were able to recreate the same look as a Restoration Hardware entryway / console that sold for $1,800 to $2,700 depending on wood and color choice. It’s a really simple and elegant design that resulted in a build project that doesn’t require a ton of finesse. Check out this hack – accoutrements courtesy of the wife!
The resulting product | Entryway Table
Stain | Similar Vase | Similar Stems | Similar Mirror | Similar Ottoman Cube | Similar Lamp
Our inspirational photo | Russian Reclaimed Oak
Parts List | Wood Materials
- 2 @ 4 in. x 4 in. x 8 feet, Douglas Fir, Legs, 35” high as shown
- 2 @ 2 in. x 6 in. x 10 feet, Fir, table top, 52” long as shown
- 2 @ 2 in. x 2 in. x 8 feet, Fir, supports for table top
This was my first-time building a piece of furniture that was going to be inside with Douglas Fir and I was a little skeptical. Thankfully, the folks at Dunn Lumber were patient as always and pitched in to help me find “furniture worthy” lumber.
Overall, I’m pleased with how the fir ended up performing. I did try some of the specialty wood stores, but there were no 4 in. x 4 in. boards in other wood choices. As an alternative if you wanted a different wood, you could glue some boards together.
We just wanted that full 4 in. x 4 in. leg to show through at the top – it’s such a unique feature to have the four corners POP!
Also see some tips on wood selection and staining as the end grain of the legs will be much darker than the top if you don’t follow some easy preparation steps.
Assembly and Construction
Once you have everything cut to your preferred dimensions it’s time to assemble – note that this build does not show screw heads or nails on the finished surfaces.
Simple Method
Legs to Frame: Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig. I have used this on more projects than I care to admit. Works great to install hidden screws. Easy to use – quick clamp to the board, use provided bit to drill the hole, stick it where you want, and screw it in. No need to worry about buying Kreg brand screws, any will do. BUT, I use GRK screws for all my wood working projects. They are a little more expensive, but oh so worth it for accuracy in drilling and avoiding stripping.
Top to frame: Figure 8 table top connectors and Titebond or Gorilla wood glues have never let me down. If you’re feeling fancy and you should be, use a router or chisel to hollow out where the Figure 8 will sit on the frame keeping the top flush.
Feeling like a Greater Challenge
Pull out that router and chisel set and create some dado or mortise and tenon joints for attaching the frame rails to the posts. These will provide some added strength but aren’t needed unless it’s bearing some serious weight.
Build Tips
#01 – The top of the legs shows through to the table top on this design. This mean, you’re cutting the corners out of your table top. I cut the legs to length and attached the lower frame first. I then set it upside down on the table top to mark the outline. Remember to have your table top face down for this step. For the finesse of getting the top to slide in perfectly, I purchased a Rexbeti file set, that I’ve since found many other uses for.
#02 – To get that butcher-block / tight joint look make sure to run each table top board through your table saw and remove the rounding.
#03 – Wood filler can be your friend to fill knot holes and any gaps between the legs and table tops. I have spent more time than I care to admit researching the “perfect” product – be it putty, plastic wood, filler, and all the variants. For projects I’m staining, I use a product like Minwax Stainable Wood Filler. For projects I’m painting, Bondo Wood Filler all the way.
#04 – Put some real flowers in the vase during the unveiling!
Tools for the Job
- Clamps
- Wood Glue
- Figure 8 wood connectors
- Kreg Jig: pocket-hole
- Table saw, miter saw, and jig saw.
- Sander and sand paper options (80, 120, 240, 320 grit – or thereabouts). This pack of sanding discs was great for my Rigid 5-inch orbital sander.
- Planer (potentially reduce the sanding time on table top)
- Drill
- Screws
- Router (optional)
- Eye protection: Recently switched to try these DeWalt safety glasses. I also cheat and use Quick Spit or Dawn dish soap to stop any fogging.
Another Updated View:
Let us know if you have any questions or need further encouragement to take on this design and build!
