The were only two remaining construction phase elements that needed to be completed. The trestles needed to be trimmed level and everything needed to be sanded in preparation to receive the milk paint.
From the conception I knew that I was going to paint this table. I had no idea what color though. I also knew that the table wouldn’t look quite right being painted a single color. A layered look is what I was after. So I gave the milk paint color sample card to management and told her to pick whatever color she wanted. She chose Bayberry Green.
As luck would have it, I already had a quantity of Lexington Green on hand. Lexington Green is darker than Bayberry and will serve as the base color. You may already know, but management likes to use Coral as the accent color throughout the house. With that in mind I had a few plans for some Salmon milk paint.
I began by giving everything, except the handles, two coats of Lexington Green.
After letting the Lexington Green cure for a full twenty-four hours I painted on a layer of slightly thinned Bayberry Green.
After waiting another twenty-four hours I began the rubbing out process with oooo steel wool. I didn’t make any deliberate attempt to achieve the variegated look. I simply completed the rubbing out process as I normally would and allowed the process to wear thru the Bayberry layer with a natural randomness.
To create some additional visual interest I cooked up a plan to add some elements of Salmon milk paint. The first of those involved creating a couple of stencils. The first one is meant to be a cherry blossom. I drew the design on a piece of cardstock and cut it out with a hobby knife. The second stencil is meant to give the impression of a doily. I searched online for a stencil, but couldn’t find anything that I liked. In the end I made one myself. Much like the folded paper snowflakes that grade school kids cutout except in rectangular form.
I then painted and stenciled on the Salmon milk paint.
I also used a dry brush technique with the Salmon milk paint to add highlighting to the nodes of the bamboo legs.
After final rub out of the Salmon milk paint bits I started applying the oil. Everything received two coats of polymerised linseed oil followed by two coats of a linseed oil and beeswax mixture.
I added a few new skills with this project. From turning the bamboo shaped legs, the thin spindles and layering milk paint. I read somewhere recently that if you say your having fun with your woodworking than you are not taking it seriously. Sorry, but that’s a load of crap. Outside of necessity, there is no other reason for an amateur to go out into the shop. So yes, I had a good bit of fun building this table. Yet I also took every step of the process very seriously. Go figure.
Part 3 Greg Merritt
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Love the leg detail and color, very compelling. Well done Greg.
Thanks! I was a little nervous about how it would look until the first coat of oil went on. You never really know with milk paint until the top coat (oil or shellac) goes on and brings all of the color to life.
We all know the word “Arts & Craft” but I’ve never understood why they chose that term as the furniture built doesn’t in anyway fit the description. What you built falls into that category of “arts & craft.” Again you did a marvelous job mate!
I was surprised to read that someone would write such a falsity about the craft. If woodworking isn’t fun then we wouldn’t enjoy it as much as we do, even so to the point in my case in particular being obsessed by it. Whoever wrote that statement utterly has no clue. I wouldn’t even know how to respond to such crap without ridiculing him or her. I personally find that person’s statement deeply offensive and repulsive. Why? Because it makes no sense to me. I yearn everyday to walk into my shop and do something no matter how little and insignificant it can be. It stimulates my mind, invigorates my body and enlivens my soul. It’s fun and no other word can better describe it but “fun.” Just like my magazine, it’s “fun” even though it’s difficult to write and I know if I had the financial resources including the time I could make it bigger than every magazine in existence today.
Woodworking is fun and I do take it serious but how can it be anything else other than fun.
Hey thanks Salko! It is funny that you mention the “Arts and Crafts” classification. I’ve been reading a lot about furniture classifications and regional furniture and wondering where my stuff fits into the mix. Not that it matters or would change how or what I make. Just curiosity. From what I’ve read my furniture would most likely be classified as “folk art”. That seems to be the catch all for the stuff that doen’t fit anywhere else. I kinda like it. Art made by the common folk.
Folk art is a suitable word as well but I don’t believe that arts and craft fits into the category of the type of furniture that Gustav and others like him made. There is nothing art nor crafty about it. It’s just another style of furniture. I think what you make is arty and crafty and folk art is the perfect word for it and would therefore fit into both categories.
The color makes the difference! Very nice piece of furniture
Thanks Wolfram. I don’t think this table would look right without being painted. There are several color combinations that would have worked, but it needed paint to pull it together.
It was made by the folk named Gregg. That´s good enough (for me) to call it folk art!
My reaction to that first photo was “Uh-oh!” Not a color I thought I would like. In the end, it turns out wonderful. Amazing and very nicely done!
LOL…milk paint is fantastic stuff, but will test your resolve right till the end. A person really should make up sample boards to understand each color. But where is the excitement in that? 😉
I like the term “Folk Art”…no rules apply and I am free to make as I please. With that thinking I could start calling myself an “artist”. Do you think if I started wearing a beret it would be a step too far? LOL
Wolf whistle! Very nice craftsmanship! The stenciling with the architecture go perfectly together. An antiquarian look for utilitarian means. Green with envy here!
Thank you so much. I wanted it to look like something that would have come from someone’s great grandmother’s house, but still have a bit of a modern feel to it.
Love Lexington Green milk paint. I’ve used it myself on a few projects. The table turned out great, Greg.
Thanks Derek. To be honest, I have yet to try a milk paint color that I didn’t like. The earthy tone to them is what appeals to me.
Greg, you’re a big boy now, I’m sure you can manage things, But if I may say something – if I’m not then delete this comment regarding to : ‘Trolls’… they were, they are and they will always bee around… the internet only made them a little more visible!
Nom something completely different:
You made another costumer happy, I bet!
Only thing missing is a ‘test drive’ report by Mrs. Management! 😉
Yep, management is pretty pleased with it and is setting up for use right now. I follow up with a few photos and give her feedback.
Anyone can post whatever opinion they want. Anyone can also post a rebuttal to that opinion. That is how it should be though.
Greg,
Looking forward to photos of the table in use. I too quilt and have thought about building a staked leg table for a Singer 301 which I just purchased. (Your wife will know what a 301 is: I live in a cross-over world.)
Anyway, the table looks fantastic and I think the paint really makes it pop. Also, have you thought about building a staked leg table with a live edge? I keep think thinking about the concept, but haven’t pursued it. Keep up the good work.
I love this table. As always, nice work. It kind of reminds me of a beer garden table. And I think the Scandinavians would approve of the color scheme.
Ha, thanks Brian. I’m thinking it would make a great games table. Just saying. Management and I have already been talking about another one to keep in the storage room. You know, because we don’t already have enough tables. 😉
I had some doubts seeing the first green picture but the final result with the salmon decals is really nice.
About fun in woodworking, Paul Sellers doesn’t use this word but obviously the satisfaction he finds in it is important. I would not dare to say he is not serious.
Sylvain
I think it is safe to say that the green milk paint in the “raw” gave everyone some concern. Using milk paint requires a bit of faith. What comes off the brush isn’t necessarily what the finished product is going to look like.
My only point is that saying you are having “fun” has no bearing on you level of seriousness towards your work.
That is a beautiful and (looks like) it is very functional! So glad I found your blog. I don’t do woodworking, but I sure do like seeing someone else do it. 🙂
Thanks Stacey. Glad to hear you like what I’m posting.
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