Anthro-Inspired Outdoor Farmhouse Table & Benches

You guys, I built something. From scratch, all by myself. When I saw this Anthropologie-inspired “Fancy X” Outdoor Farmhouse Table by Shanty 2 Chic, I drooled over it a little and then pinned it for later thinking, “Maybe someday I’ll learn how to build this…. in a million years. Probably not. But maybe.” My New Year’s Resolution was to build a piece of furniture sometime this year. I recently realized that thanks to RYOBI, I had all the tools I needed to build this. But I needed enough nerve too. I pored over the furniture build plans on Ana White’s site forever. Our unused, table-less back porch was begging me to build it. My husband was encouraging me too since we both had dreams of actually enjoying said back porch instead of using it to hold our kids’ clutter. Finally, I took the plunge. We bought the wood, and in two weeks I built the table and 2 benches for each side. I’m in love!

(*Update: Here is the table on the deck at our new house.)

Check out Shanty 2 Chic for details and Knock Off Wood for the build plans if you’d like to build these too. (Here is the table and here is the bench.)

I used Olympic Outdoor Semi-Transparent tintable stain and sealer in Espresso, purchased at Lowe’s. The chairs for the ends came from Home Decorators Collection. I got them during their 20% off sale and received free shipping too. I love the industrial metal look against the modern, dark wood.

The only slight modification I made to the table was that I added 4 small 2x4s, each cut to 14 inches long, and attached them to the base using pocket holes which I made with my Kreg Jig Jr. (See photo below.) I did this so that I could attach the tabletop from underneath, rather than countersinking screws from the top. I wanted the top to be removable (otherwise we couldn’t fit it into our porch), so I didn’t want to putty over the screws. Instead, I just drilled screws from underneath, securing the top to the base. As for the benches, I did not attach the tops with pocket hole screws from underneath like the plans call for. Instead, I just countersank screws from the top and used wood filler to cover them up.

Now we are able to actually enjoy our back porch! I’ll share more before & after pics soon to show you the whole transformation of the porch itself. It was really sorry-looking before.

I just want to emphasize to you that if I can do this, so can you! With the right tools, anyone can do it. I will say, however, that this particular build (being my first) was a little bit of a challenge. The plans themselves were easy to follow, but it was physically exhausting! There were a couple nights I went to bed at 8:00 pm with a heating pad on my back. But man, was it worth it! This style of table retails for $2000 at Anthropologie. I spent a couple hundred bucks total on materials for the table and two benches. We saved a fortune! This table is 8 feet long and can comfortably seat 8 adults.

I’m looking forward to many more build projects in the future. But probably not as labor-intensive as this one until I rest for a while! I also made a cute centerpiece for the table which I will share soon.

Are you planning on building any furniture? Please share!

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