The Table

Behold! The advent of the flat pack table.

I happen to *LOVE* flat pack furniture. I can think of the nothing better than the sense of achievement gained after spending several hours putting together what is essentially an adult Lego kit. Brilliant fun. Not having any a great deal of money left after house-purchasing we went for the cheap and cheerful option of an Ikea pine table. The artist in me rejoiced at the chance to paint and stain things, just like people do on the telly. We visited several shops (yes, B&Q again) and eventually settled on Dulux ‘White Cotton’ paint for the legs and backs of the chairs, and Ronseal ‘French Oak’ woodstain for the tops of the chairs and the table. I had visions of a vintage farm table, rustic and practical but oh so pretty.

Well. Let me tell you. After 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of paint and 3 coats of woodstain on each side and numerous hours sanding and waiting for paint to dry, I no longer wanted to be the next Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. The kitchen had been unusable for a week, full of bits of table leg in various states of dress. I was fed up with eating my dinner cross legged on the floor, paint smeared across my baggy overalls and drying on my face where my overtired self had absent-mindedly smeared it. Designing is easy. Painting shit is TIME CONSUMING.

Hours later, all was dry and we screwed everything together. And in the end, it all was worth it.

Behold. The glorious farmhouse table. 🙂