Do any of you have a special piece of furniture in
your home that is unique just to you or your family?
Something that you might call your favorite?
For me, one of those pieces would be my coffee table.
But what makes this table special is it's humble beginning.
My grandfather, Papa Rakes, was a furniture maker.
As a child I loved going into his shop,
smelling the wood shavings, seeing all the tools,
looking at all the furniture piled up waiting to be fixed
or wood waiting to be made into something special.
Years after he passed away my Mom gave me
4 bed posts that she found in his shop.
These bedposts became the legs for my table.
The pieces we cut off would have been the top of the
bed post. The remainder was then turned upside
down to be used as the table legs.
Here you can see what the old wood looked
like before we painted.
I want to use these in a future project
I just haven't decided what!
Any ideas?
I had my trim carpenter make the 46" x 46" table top
out of Alder wood. I chose Alder because I really like the distressed
quality and knot holes typical of this wood.
Then I sanded, distressed and painted...
...and then sanded and distressed some more
to achieve the look I wanted.
Look at the table leg...you can see where the old
bed post holes are!
The table turned out great!
The size if perfect for games & puzzles.
Sturdy enough to sit on.
And the finish is very forgiving of kids, pets and dirt!
Like I said...it's one of my favorites!
And I think it will be for a very long time!
Wishing you all a
Sentimentally Blessed Day!
Linking to:
What a great piece! I looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteHow precious and an awesome keepsake!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story! I love the legs. I have no idea what you could use the others for, but I'm sure you'll think of something perfect. They are wonderful quality!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to check out my blog for a fun giveaway! alittleknickknack.blogspot.com. Have a wonderful night!
I love that table, and can see why it is your favourite! I have a very similar one that I am desperate to paint but the things in my own home seem to keep getting pushed down the list as I paint things to sell. Your pictures have inspired me to get it done!
ReplyDeletexx Karen
I can certainly see why you love this piece!! It has sentimental value & it's beautiful too - LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI love this table and the fact that it has such sentimental value makes it priceless!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful!
Lou Cinda :)
Awww, it's great - and that it has such a story behind it make it that much more special. Gave me warm fuzzies. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so pretty! Your Grandpa Rakes would be very proud (maybe that's where you get some your awesome creativity from).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great piece you made out of bed posts your grandfather made, Sonya! I love that it is a table that you use and see everyday. The cut pieces could maybe become some kind of architecturally interesting wall piece that you could hang coats and things from or even just a decorative piece of wall decor {painted/stained up, of course}.
ReplyDeleteBTW, mentioned your ruffled lampshade in my most recent post today!
You know how much I love this table! The bedpost legs make is extra special.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great table and I love the distressed finish!
ReplyDeleteawesome! what a great table!
ReplyDeleteOh...I love it too! I love the legs and the color and the distressing! I love it all! the story behind it just makes it PERFECT!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful keepsake!
Enjoy!
Cathy
I can't wait to see more of your house...when your ready of course;)!
Love the piece and the story behind it.
ReplyDeleteIncredible piece of furniture...and what a great way to treasure the memories behind it. Beautiful job distressing it, too!
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie@heavens-walk
Great table! My kind of table! and what makes it greater is that the legs where made by Grampa!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful piece, especially with some meaning behind it!
ReplyDeleteLove that table and your story, too. The distressed finish is perfect! We have a bookcase my husband built from a tree he cut on our place, cut it up with the sawmill he inherited from his dad and finished it for our 25th wedding anniversary. It is our ONLY piece of heirloom furniture and we love it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I adore the top your carpenter made as well. This so closely resembles my own coffee table and the way I finished it. I was going to get rid of it but you made me want it back! LOL
ReplyDeleteDonna
Oh, I think that is wonderful. I love the meaning behind this piece. So great. I so loved my grandfathers and would love to have something like this that their hands worked on.
ReplyDeletePartying with you tonight at Donna's.
Lovely table and story too. How about making a little bench for your grandkids to sit on (or kids if you're young) with the pieces. Make a rectangle box (I'd make it longer and narrow kind of like a miniture piano bench) and attach the pieces to make short legs. Paint it to match the table and make a board the size of the bench, cover it like you would a chair and attach to the bench to make seating for kids. I'd use a thin rug to cover it or a piece of an old family quilt. The kids can use the bench to sit at the coffee table and you can tell many future generations about where the wood came from.
ReplyDeleteOh I love this story and this coffee table! I also love this darling blog! You and I have lots in common from what I can see except I don't make a living at decorating, though I wish I did:)
ReplyDeleteI'll be posting a furniture project my husband and I just finished for my in laws 60th anniversary party we are hosting next Saturday at our home (its a secret until after the party:)
I am now your latest follower and would like to extend the invitation to come follow me as well, I'd love to have you come along for the adventure we're on!
Most Sincerely,
Terry
This is seriously the neatest project I've seen in a long time. WOW.
ReplyDeleteI love furniture with a story - and it looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFor the leftover pieces...what about using them for candle holders? Would that work?
that is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe whole story and the table is beautiful!
ReplyDelete