Izzi's Doll House Table

A few months ago my wife asked me to build a simple table to set one of our daughters doll house on. So a while later I went into the shop with the intent of doing just that, build a simple table. Once I sorted out some left over oak and started working on a design I realized that the table was going to become more. Like many woodworkers I can’t stand the idea of building something that is just made to be thrown away later.

So with this in mind I decided that I wanted the table to be something she could use later in life as well as now. I went with 16” in height in order for the table to be used as a bench later for dressing and shoes. The rails are morticed into the stiles and 1/2” plywood scraps I had used for the panels.

The biggest issue I had after construction was what finish to use. The main feature in her room is a large loft bed I built a few years ago that is painted white. Everything else in the room has followed suit so staining or just varnishing didn’t seem like an option. I knew that painting was the answer but don’t like the way that paint completely covers the natural wood up. The compromise ended up being milk paint.

Milk paint goes on much like a stain and soaks into the wood. The texture of the grain shows through. Another characteristic of milk paint is that it is not as uniform in color and shade as regular modern paints. The result is a paint with much more character and as it ages it polishes to get an even better look. Just keep in mind that milk paint doesn’t offer protection so it must be sealed with something like varnish (which is what I used).

Izzi loves the table and it fits her doll house just perfect.

-- Chris Adkins, http://highrockwoodworking.com/