I Want a Farmhouse Table, Part 1

I've been yearning for a farmhouse table. Something like this one.

source, Houzz.com

or this one.....

source,Southern Living

I needed a table long enough to sit at least 8 people. I want it to have history and character, but the ones I've found in antique stores and fleas markets are wayyyyy out of my price range.

To be honest I wanted my husband and me to make our own. So I started searching for some legs. I wanted big legs with character, not only were they not easy to find but when I did find them they cost an arm and a leg (pun intended)   While browsing around another one of my favorite flea markets I found this awesome table. It was 8ft long, check, farmhouse look, check, big bulky legs, double check but one BIG problem.....$2000 price tag!!!!! Nope no way!

So it wasn't in the cards BUT while checking out the table I discovered that the legs were actually from the posts of a bed, yep, still had the places on it where the headboard and sides would have been attached.

That got me thinking,.....why couldn't I make mine out of bed posts too? So instead of searching for some table legs to start my table I started searching for a headboard and foot board that could be transformed into table legs.

I searched several flea markets and just couldn't find what I was looking for, the posts were either not chunky enough or they were too new looking with no character. Finally when I was about to give up I found this......

There was a headboard and a foot board. So I negotiated a price for $30. Let me tell you this is a well made bed. It's solid oak, it's as  heavy as can be and has a rolled top piece on the headboard and foot board. It's an antique for sure, made without any nails glue or screws, everything is made using a mortise and tenon technique.  

We brought it home and began separating the posts from the head and foot boards. Once that was acomplished we had to address the posts  legs. First we had to remove the ball part, actually the top of the bed posts that would soon become the bottom of the table legs.

Then we took them to the table saw and cut them to exactly 29 inches.

Here is one of the legs ready to be painted, stained or whatever I decide to do to it.

I love it!!! It's chunky, measuring 4" in diameter and they have lots of character and history. Yep love 'em! And don't worry about what remained of that headboard and foot board, I have plans for them.

Next the table top, it needs to meet the same criteria, old, character and farmhouse to the max. Stay tuned for part 2, you are gonna love what we found!
Update.....Part 2


Sharing at.........
Kim's Wow Us Wednesday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Sunny Simple Sunday
Knick of Time Tuesday
Tweak It Tuesday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Be Inspired

BLESSINGS,

TERESA