$2,965 table for $100

This weekend's project was an outdoor dining table. We wanted something hefty and "rustic" that would look great and seat eight. We also wanted a table that would not take much maintenance and if it got dinged or "slightly" damaged no one would really care.

"A" found this really great website, Ana-White, that has plans for all kinds of building projects. A store by the name of Restoration Hardware has really nice merchandise at really high end prices. But the ana-white website shows you how to build the exact same thing for a fraction of the cost.

The table we liked was a Provence beam dining table and Restoration Hardware had it for $2,965 (on sale). However the ana-white website has detailed instructions on how to build the exact same thing. She used 2x4s for the legs and supports but we modified it with 4x4s.

The top is 2x6, underneath support is 2x4 and 1x3 and the legs and struts are 4x4. Everything is Douglas Fir construction grade. We decided to use this type of wood since it was going to be outside/exposed to the elements and it was really inexpensive. When we build our indoor dining table we will use a higher finish wood and ensure it is kiln dried.

Lumber cost was $80 and the six lag (1/2"x 6") screws were about $20. This was another modification we used because we liked the look and wanted to over build the table. We did not have to buy the other screws that were used because we already had them from other projects. In all fairness, if we had to buy everything for the table it would have been slightly more expensive

Our Friends came over to help us out again and it took about four hours to build it. We still need to sand it and stain/protect the finish but over all it was time well spent.

SEAL Tour

Today we played tourist again, I could really start to enjoy this. We went to Seaport Village to board the SEAL tour that I mentioned yesterday.  Doing the "tourist" thing is actually very educational. I learned some things today that I did not know about San Diego.

Our Crew

 On the way to the bay we went by the Star of India, the oldest active sailing ship in the world (I knew that). But next to it was the HMS Surprise, the ship that was used in the movie Master and Commander (I did not know that).

Star Of India

HMS Surprise

I must say when we went into the water I had flashbacks of splashing off ships and the shore in the Amtraks that I used to ride in the military.

We also got to see the Navy Dolphin Trainers. They were out on the bay and had the dolphin do a few jumps for us. We also got to see the Stars and Stripes, one of the boats that Dennis Conner used when he won the America's Cup.

Stars and Stripes

 

We had a very enjoyable day.

Old House Fair and an Evening in Paris

This weekend we decided that it would be a not working weekend. Today we went to the South Park Old House Fair. It's a street party, similar to our block party, and for $20 each you could tour 6 old houses. "A" found out about this event and so it seemed like the thing to do. The houses were spread out and they had a "shuttle" <-----notice the quotes, because we sure as hell did not see one of them. So we walked and what a walk it was. The houses were really beautiful and most were well maintained. Unfortunately we could not take any photos of them.

This tree was HUGE.

About a month ago we bought tickets for a evening concert/dinner at a house in Kensington. We didn't know but there is actually a Kensington concert series they have during the summer. The venues are small and tonight there were about 90 people and the theme was Paris. The singer was Chantal Roche and we had a wonderful time.

The dessert was made by Amy Finley and if any of you watch the food network she won season 3 of The Next Food Network Star. The dessert was small cream puffs stuffed with ice cream and chocolate drizzled on them. Damn they were good.

Tomorrow we play tourists and go on a "seal tour".

Master bath project and outdoor project part 7

Finally both projects are coming to a close. Rich, the contractor, finished his part of the project and now it is up to us to complete it. Namely painting and staining. This weekend our friends came over to help us prime the fence. We started at 0900 and they were able to stay until about 1230. However, "A" and I continued and finished around 1700.

Working Party

We decided to tint the primer.

 When you look at what needed to be done it did not look that difficult, but in reality it is completely different. The plan was to prime on Saturday and then paint on Sunday. Needless to say Sunday kinda went by the wayside.

Although Sunday wasn't a complete waste because I was able to get the sink hooked up. Last weekend we grouted the floor and the walls and on Thursday the fabricator installed the marble and it looks wonderful.

We are really excited to be nearing the completion of the two big projects. Does that mean we are done? Nope, but I think all major projects have ended. We should not have anything close to the scope of what has been completed.

Outdoor Project Part 6

Believe it or not the whole outside project is almost done. I have been lacking in giving updates about it but if you have visited another blog, which is not to be named, you would have seen the progress. But alas, I am here to update you.

The deck is redwood and underneath that is pressure treated wood, which gives off arsenic and very unhealthy when cut, as told by our contractor many times.  The four vertical support posts are 6x6 douglas fir, the beams are 6x8 doug fir, the rafters are 3x6 doug fir, roof is 2x6 tongue in groove spruce.

The only draw back is that the ends will not be attached to the house. This is because we have a shallow slope that does not match the pitch of the roof.  If we had followed the pitch of the roof, I would have been able to reach up touch the beams easily, maybe even with my head. This also would have made the house darker and impaired more of the view. So we had to make a trade off, but I think I can figure out a way to use either flashing or some type of gutter that when painted will look "normal".