Lisa's Pottery Barn Style Turnbuckle Table

I've been busy lately and am finally getting some posts updated on here. My Facebook page has some of the more recent posts as well: Mitchell & Co. on Facebook



This is a design modeled after one a client liked from Pottery Barn's Benchwright Collection. These are progress photos, but she's added a bench to her order so when I deliver the bench I'll get some completed photos.

(Before Stain)

During The Stain Process, but before Polyurethane

Brooke & Damon's 7' Fredericksburg Style Table

Signed, Sealed & Delivered: 

Ready for Thanksgiving Dinner, the next family feast/game night, or just as the daily project workbench/command center/homework station.

The durability of real, solid wood construction stands the test of time and become an heirloom piece.

The Protective Waterproof Sparurethane finish keeps tomato sauces, wines, juices, and anything else that life can throw at it from staining the Walnut Finish.

NO COASTERS NEEDED HERE.

It's made for Life, not just for looks.

Brooke's 7' "Fredericksburg" Table

A few progress photos of the Fredericksburg Table I'm working on:

Waiting for stain to dry so I can apply the polyurethane.

CLICK HERE FOR A "DAYS OF THUNDER" PARODY/SPOOF I DID

Veronica's 75" Modern Espresso Entertainment Center

Just delivered this entertainment center over Memorial Day weekend. It was a pleasure to work on and clients such as Veronica & Cliff make my work even easier and more enjoyable! 

As I always say, "The true 'Finished Product' is a happy customer."

It was nice on Saturday so we moved outside to finish assembly and staining.
The smell of the stain can get pretty strong in the shop.

The top isn't stained in this photo and the whole thing doesn't have the clear finish yet. (Polyurethane)

Modern Brushed-Steel support posts contrast nicely with the dark, espresso color.

Delivered and ready to go!

Entryway/Hallway Table: Reclaimed Pine + Steel Pipes

I made this table for my Bro & Sis (in-law) out of some full 2 inch Roughsawn Pine I got from the sawmill. It had the sawmarks and character, so I left some of that when I sanded it and planed it. It gives it a little ruggedness, yet the sleek, straight-lined concept gives it a contemporary-modern look. I think they balance each other out...  Old & New,  yin & yang, if you will.  :-)

I like the contrast of the rugged wood with the sleek steel pipes.

The top is joined to the legs with 5/8" Oak dowels and glue.

I wanted to use all-thread rods for the connecting rods below for an utilitarian/industrial nod. They are very sturdy in tension, but bend and flop in compression. So, I wrapped them with Steel EMT Conduit. Imagine a long bolt that goes all the way through the hallow pipe and tightened on both ends of the table. The result is a system that works very well in both compression and tension.

FINALLY! OUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE

About 8-9 months ago we had in mind an idea to make a new table for ourselves. This meant we  had to make room. So we posted our current table on Craigslist and it sold right away, and I got lots of a requests to make custom tables. This was great at first, but as a hobby, I eventually had to pump the brakes. After seeing several coveted tables delivered while we were still eating on a metal folding table, we are finally getting around to making our own new table. 

The big oak planks were reclaimed from the floor of an old barn near Pawnee, Illinois around 2006. My buddy/masonry mentor, "JP" and I were driving into town for lunch during  a workday and saw a "For Sale" sign along the side of the road. As JP and I often treasured junk and antique tools, (emphasis on "junk," for myself anyway) we stopped and peeked at what they had for sale. The lady there didn't have much that caught our eye, but I kicked up some straw in the side of the barn and noticed a stack of thick quartersawn Red Oak planks. I mentioned them to the lady and asked her if they were for sale. "Sure," she replied, "Whattaya say? 5 bucks?"  As her other half was nowhere in sight, she was just glad to get rid of them. They didn't look like much. Covered in sooty barn dirt and decomposing straw, they were hardly recognizable as oak. 

$7 later, I was a happy picker and they have set in my garage gathering dust much the same way as they  had before for the past 7 years. Stored in Illinois, loaded on a trailer, hauled to Texas. Moved in Texas half of a dozen places or so. Until finally, a few weeks ago, I began unearthing the circle-sawn, lacy quartersawn oak figuring that must be older than you and I put together. 

CLASSIC FIREPLACE MANTLE MIRROR

The Frieze Board is from a very old, salvaged Red Oak fireplace mantle.

When I found it, it was covered in white paint (most certainly lead based, given the age.)

I used a paint and varnish remover to strip all the old paint off and sanded the final surface before

Applying an oil based polyurethane to seal any exposed surface.

The Mirror (Before): Was on sale at  Home Depot; had some hallow plastic shell of a frame. 

Miter saw I got for Christmas was a major help in making all the compound miter angle cuts for the casing trim and crown molding around the mirror frame.

Thanks to Aunt Patty & Uncle Kevin for the Home Depot Gift Card for Christmas!! Helped me get this saw big-time!  :-)