Pottery Barn Inspired Picnic Table

Hope you had a fabulous weekend...I sure did! 
It was AMAZING and FABULOUS and I promise to tell you about it by Wednesday, so be sure to stop by again soon.
In the meantime...

We're working on our deck makeover;

a deck refinish with a 

new color, 

new furniture, 

new accessories and

new everything...

except for the grill

(the grill is good for a few more years).

It was about time. We bought our Tropitone patio furniture wayyy back in 1986.

Don't say it...I know...

Some of you weren't even born yet. 

Since I don't have big bags full of money, this makeover had to be done on a budget. 

A seriously tight budget. 

I've wanted to make for Mr. Fanatic to make me a picnic table ever since I saw this beauty on The Reading Girl blog.  I sent the link to Mr. F two years ago...

and waited...

for just the right place to put it.

The top of our very old patio table had been accidentally broken years ago by one of our daughters, who shall remain nameless. 

Mr. F fixed it by making a top out of tile, but alas, the tiles were falling off and the top was falling apart.

We definitely needed a new table and NOW. I scoured Craigslist and found

NOTHING I liked.

So, it was time to make the Reading Girl's table.

Now how to finish it...hmmmm

I saw this great table on the Pottery Barn website and really loved it. The price, not so much.

Looks like the price dropped a bit...When we started this project, the price was $1,199. I love the contrasting zinc top.

 Loved this table I saw on Style Decor too. Both of these table were our inspiration.

It was settled and Mr. Fanatic and I went off to the store and bought some wood. 

If you go to The Reading Girl's website, she has a link to Ana White's website(I met her this weekend!) that has a cut sheet with instructions.

That's what Mr. F did.

The wood cost us pretty close to $100. Not bad.

One Saturday, Mr. F cut all the wood, then dry fit it.

He used his handy Kreg Jig so he could attach all the screws so you wouldn't see them.

One of these days, I'm going to learn how to use one because it looks pretty simple.

Mr. Fanatic cut all the pieces for the table, then

this is where I came in...

I used the solid stain that was leftover from staining the deck...

You know, the first coat that I hated on the deck floor and then proceeded to try just about every color on the color chart?

Yeah, that one.

It was perfect to give the look of the Pottery Barn's zinc topped picnic table. 
The color is Nantucket Gray in  Olympic solid color deck stain. 

KariAnne over at Thistlewood Farm created a faux zinc memo board that had THE most perfect finish from Martha Stewart that I would have loved to do, but it was expensive, so I used what I had.

I went to the Home Depot and bought some transparent waterproofing deck stain in Cordovan Brown for the legs and apron. I loved both colors on the first try, unlike my deck color choosing fiasco that ended up costing too much money. 

Here's a tip: if you are refinishing your deck and are choosing a new color, go to The Home Depot and try our a few samples. Their little samples are only $3.68 in our area (at the blue box store, you have to buy a whole quart for $15+)

I stained all the pieces before the table was put together, just to make it easier.

then Mr. Fanatic put the table together. He used a 2 x 4 to line up the ends of the 2 x 6's for the top.

Then, he lined up the apron and attached it to the table top.

The instructions called for brace pieces to secure the top to the apron. You can see more detailed instructions on the link below. Ana White's website has a cut sheet and detailed instructions, plus photos from several people who made this table, as well.

Love these vintage clamps he uses.

After the legs were attached to the apron, we were almost finished...

She's a beauty!

If you notice, the stringer wasn't finished, so I put two coats of stain on it when it was all finished.

I also applied one more thin coat to the top of the table and touched up some spots on the legs.

When Mr. F took the table out to the deck, I was ecstatic!
I just love the contrast of the Cordovan Brown legs against the two different grays. 
Don't you  get excited when you love a project when it's finished?

diy Design Fanatic.com

I found the two chairs on a trip to HomeGoods. 

Only two chairs??? What about the other side, you say?

Well, that's our next project. Mr. Fanatic is going to build a bench with storage that's also works as a chaise lounge. (saw it on Pinterest)
Can't wait to dress it up with accessories, too.

I'm hoping our total deck makeover will be finished in time to have at least one party or get together with friends...
oh, I am so looking forward to that!
Do you have a deck in your backyard and how do you keep it looking fresh?

Pam

link to Ana White's website with cut sheet and instructions on how to build this table HERE

PS: I was not paid by The Home  Depot, Kreg Tools, HomeGoods or Pottery Barn (or anyone else) for this post.
I just wanted to share my experience with you. 

Disclaimer: The above post is how we made our picnic table. I don't take any responsibility for any errors or results obtained from using this information. When using power tools, use safety equipment.