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I created this as a gift for my Parents. They wanted to get rid of an 80's style box shaped coffee table that is currently taking up most of their living room.

All they specified was wanting "a simple dark table in the mission / craftsman style". They also gave me the exact dimensions for the top and the height.

I just could NOT make them a plain simple table - no way, no how! So, the "dark table" part turned into figured walnut. I did stick to the style they wanted but "dialed it up a notch" with maple plugs and thicker slats on the sides.

Still, it just didn't cut it - something was missing. I needed to make it more personal to THEM. I began thinking about where they are from and all the maple trees that surrounded their house and decided to try inlaying for the very first time. I REALLY want to thank the Wood Whisperer for his video on inlaying - it helped me tremendously! As you can see in one of the pics, the leaves are 1/8" thick and actually set into the solid inch thick top - not an easy feat! I did five practice leaves before I felt confident enough to try this. It took over six hours of work just for the inlays. What wood did I use for the Maple Leaves? Maple, of course!

Everything actually went together very well once I drew out the plans. No big issues or problems. Finished with five to six coats of Danish Oil applied with 0000 Steel Wool. The top also has four of five coats of furniture wax. Overall dimensions are 20" Wide, 40" Long and 16" High.

Take the time to view the video on inlay - it's WAY worth your time. Thanks again Mark!!!! http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-based-inlay/

My folks are going to see this today for the first time and I think I am more excited than they are!

I LOVED every part of this build - Cheers!

-bob

Gallery

Comments

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Wow bob. I just love anything made out of walnut but this is over the top. The figure in the wood really makes the maple leaves stand out even more. BTW, what did we do before painter's pyramids? lol

Great job,
 

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Very impressive. I would like mine in QS white oak please. I really like the inlay. Very nice job. I have not had the guts to try that yet.
 

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You have taken this style and made it your own… well done.. Inlay is vibrant.
 

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Great job. The inlay looks great.
 

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love it. that figure in the center board of the top is to die for - so many colors. was this air or kiln dried stock?
 

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AaronK,

This was air dried over 40 years ago by a farmer in Pennsylvania. He passed away recently and his children auctioned off his estate. Bid on and won over 600 board feet of walnut (there were THOUSANDS of board feet that I wish I could have bid on as well!!!) as well as a couple of hundred feet of oak and cherry combined.

Thanks everyone for the kind words!

-bob
 

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thanks for confirming my suspicions. im finding air dried to be so much prettier than kiln.
 

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Outstanding job!! I like the design and the detail. Job well done!!!!
 

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Thanks for sharing this. Beautiful wood, design, and inlay work.
 

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Wonderful The inlay works so well on this piece great job
 

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Very impressive table. Your parents will be thrilled, I'm sure. You did a wonderful job, and for a first time inlay, you've really succeeded well. And thanks for the link to Mark's video.
 

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Impressive work! You did an outstanding job on those inlays. I also love the arrangement of them on the top. Really sets off the table in my book.
 

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By the way - my parents did in fact love the table. :)

-bob
 

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wow very beautiful table, the inlaid leaves are awesome. i watched the video by the wood whisperer too but you have really put it to use
 

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Very nicely done. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom
 

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That's super nice. BZ
 
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