Showing posts with label farm table palette desk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label farm table palette desk. Show all posts

Thursday, March 3, 2011

A boat load of questions answered on the farm table desk

Well friends, once again you confirmed that my idea for the pallet farm table desk was half sound. :) Thanks so much for the overwhelming kudos and kind words! I was putzing around in the office hanging other things up during the week so it's really coming alive. Much more to come!

As promised, here are your questions answered.





Thanks for the kudos on the light! It's one of those things you just prop up to see if it works. I walked away from it, and when I reentered the room, I still loved it. That means it passed the test. :)

 Next? Ohh... I have a LIST. :)

work table for the center of the downstairs office
another LONG table with a glass top for my signmaking equipment
floor to ceiling shelving in two rooms
finishing up my boy's room with some pretty funky wall treatments and ideas
laundry room
write a book? :)
and I'm sure summer will interrupt this list so I can mess around outdoors




I'm assuming you mean to graffiti up the desk, yes?

I thought about it, but I'm reluctant to do more until the rest of the room is done. I find too busy is too stimulating for a work office environment. I'm still getting use to the warm wood slowing down my view. I'll see how the room evolves and wing it. Bear in mind, you're seeing the desk without it's normal paperwork strewn all over the place. :) My mind would race if I had too much going on beside the mess that transpires.

Hmmm... the more I look at it, the more it needs some official stamped crate markings with a subtle touch... yeah... maybe I should. :)


 







Oh gosh, no! These two areas have very separate purposes. I just LOVE blogging upstairs where I can be near my son, especially in the evening hours once he's asleep. Downstairs is my daytime environment when he's not home and where I pump out my sign work. I just have to be near the boy when he's around. I think it's a mom thing. :) I LOVE having an office in the kitchen area. LOVE.






 I donated the Jetson style Ikea desks I had to a good cause, then lived with plastic Costco tables that I could collapse instantly when the new build was ready to go up.







 


Splinters do indeed reside in our household! I keep pins and tweezers handy is all. :) Seriously, if something is causing splinters, it just needs a bit more sanding. Sometimes I rush through projects and generally regret it and end up redoing it, hence, splinters. Sanding properly is important. Just transition down with your sandpaper grit. I start at 60, then generally work up 2 more times all the way to 220. What a difference! (ignore this bold text. I can't seem to unbold it!)
 




 outdoor boardwalk


treated wood 

I have some pallets I leave outside untreated, but then again, I don't care if they disintegrate. However if you do care, I suggest to look for treated wood when building for outdoors, unless you properly protect it. Just remember to never bring treated wood indoors. It's toxic! And you can generally tell if a pallet is treated by looking closely for evenly spaced cut marks in the wood surface.






Yes! It's the same lamp I used in my ladder shelf. The ladder is currently waiting for a new home too. :)

And, the desk honestly did turn out exactly as I visualized it. I'm able to see a completed project before I start. And I work it until it resembles what I had initially in mind.

The only thing that took me by surprise is #1 that I actually did it and #2 it's as sturdy as a ROCK. I still see myself as a non builder so when I make something that is structurally sound, I blow me away. :)


If you live in Hawaii and I'm part of the shipping, YES! :) Honestly, the unit could be unscrewed and shipped anywhere, making it a dream to move if I wish to take it with me in the future.

Currently, I'm still inventing, honing, doing, finishing my own home. Once I'm more settled in with overdue projects, I may get more serious about finding a permanent place to sell what I love making.

 

 



 The 3 sections was a fluke. I meant to build two tables but ran into the glitch on where to put MY legs if the table legs were in the way. And then my too short 2x4's dictated I figure out a new plan. And this worked! Love it when that happens.





Ha! Thanks Ann. I can always count on you for a major high 5. :)

And you're a smart cookie. :) I'll be taking the planks back off to sand moreso and may put some kind of matte finish on them so they're water resistant. And at that time, I may do something a little more interesting. I like living with something a little plainer for a bit to feel it out.

~ ~ ~ ~

This pallet wood thing is a total addiction. The back of my truck is full AGAIN and I can't wait to make a central work table in my office downstairs. I do attempt to collect boards with as few nails in them as possible so it's easier to work with. Just remember to stock up on that sandpaper! I think it's high time I purchase a wood planer if I keep this up.

Edited to add: Good news! My blog buddy Julie from Follow Your Heart Woodworking just created a post on how to avoid splintering up your wood when working with it. The term is 'tearout'. Love the tip, Julie!

Check it out HERE.

Any more questions? Fire away in comments! Please be sure to watch for the answers in comments or to changes in this main post.

So tell me... have I convinced you that pallet wood is a must have yet? :)
What would you like to make with it?

Disclaimer: please use pallet wood at your own risk. I've simply shared what works for me. Please protect yourself with appropriate gear and ensure the wood you are using is safe.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Pallet Farm Table Desk ~ Part 3, the reveal




At long last, the plastic Costco tables have been put away and my office has morphed into the land of rustically funky. :)

Come on in for the tour!




This desktop is LONG. Measuring at 12 feet, the desk is prominent, yet proportioned with the sun filled picture window it faces. I LOVE that the windowsill provides a perfect spot for my little buddy to watch for those killer birds. :)




Warm woods against black accents create a pretty cozy office environment!



Materials

Cedar planks for the top, pallet 4x4 oak posts for the legs, and some 4 foot chunks of reclaimed 2x4's for the framework. The table is rock steady, not requiring additional strapping for the legs, which I was prepared to do. The heavyweight materials, massive amount of screws and sturdy framing created a very sound piece of furniture.
  
Measurements
The desk measures 12 feet long, 3 feet deep and  27.25" from the floor, which is the perfect typing height for me. The framework just clears the rolling files perfectly!




The desk was created into three sections, to allow for a sitting area in the center.


Authentic details celebrated

Pallet stamps here and there are shown off rather than hidden, to offer up a little authentic rustic personality.


Chunky wood with glorious flaws are everywhere you look. The desk truly does resemble a farm style table!



All is calm....


All is... uh oh... killer bird on the loose! Atta girl, Teddy! The paperwork is safe once again. :)


 Plank top

This desk has a secret. The planks on top are actually sitting loose! Intending to fasten them down, the loose board trial proved the planks weren't going anywhere. The wall holds them in place, and there isn't enough overhang in front to flip the boards even when you lean on them. The loose boards make moving corded equipment a breeze!


The planks will stay in their organic rustic state due to this north facing window being a prime area for photo shoots. The desk can be emptied at a moment's notice to photograph all kinds of small projects nearly any time of day.



While the separate planks create desktop divisions, each one is wide enough to take care of writing needs. The computer pad addresses monitor stability and mouse requirements.


Accessories

Since the desk was so long, it yearned for some height. A light was desired anyway, so a funky fixture was formed using a barn lamp and vintage ironing board. Pretty fun!

Loosely stacked baskets offer storage with casual flair. After all, office work shouldn't be THAT serious. :)


And put away that office plastic, because the goods here are homespun all the way! 

The file holder is created from two hanging plant brackets screwed to a wood plank. It's ample, easy to grab, unique, and free. :)



 The coke crate is perfect for all sorts of office needs, plus adds a bit of true blue vintage character and colour.

A few FJI signature (fake) plants are scattered here and there to soften the edges.


Cost

$3.00 for new screws. :) All the rest of the wood came from my neighbour's yard, and a pallette storage area. For free.

Desk - check! And I LOVE it.  When I walk towards the desk, I want to sit down as quickly as possible and just soak up the warm and rustic environment. It's so very me, right down to the last splinter. :)

Once upon a time not long ago I use to run away from this space. Now I visit countless times a day even when I don't really need to. :) This change was long overdue, however was a direct result of a power surge knocking out a work computer. The loss of the extra computer freed up the room to tighten things up and revamp the entire space.

And this is only a small start. Now for the rest of the basement. Luckily, the back of my truck is filled with new found wood once again! Whoohoo! Stay tuned... :)

~ Edited to add: ~

Thank-you all for your incredible kudos! I got lost attempting to email everyone so I'm building a pretty large post addressing all questions and some comments. Stay tuned!

 Just joining in? You can check out the rest of this project here:

The Pallet Farm Table Desk

All three parts are HERE.