green idea: diy wood counter and table top

Yesterday I showed you the lovely vacation home that my uncle and aunt renovated. They did all of the work themselves, and my uncle is quite the handyman. He hand-made the polished wood counter top for the bathroom instead of buying new.

He was kind enough to give me instructions on how he managed to get that rich, dark, ultra-smooth finish, and so I'm sharing his secret with all of you.

1.  Top is made from 2' x 4' x 3/4" knotty pine plywood (you can purchase from hardware stores in 1/4 sheet size).

2.  Edge is made from 1" x 2" x 4' pine.

3.  Cut plywood to size and draw and cut out the hole for your sink.

4. Attach edging with water-based carpenter's glue and by countersinking a finish nail on each end. Make sure to wipe up any excess glue with a damp cloth right away. Use a non-shrinking and stain-able wood filler to fill in the holes - he likes LePage.

5. After drying for 24 hours, sand with 320 grit sandpaper.

6. Apply wood sealer as per manufacturer's instructions.

7. Apply 3 coats of stain (waiting 6 hours between each coat) in your choice of colour- he used Flecto Varathan Diamond Wood Stain in Dark Walnut. But here's the trick- DO NOT wipe off excess stain when applying the coats. It allows it to sink into the wood for a darker finish.

8.Once dry, apply 5 coats of latex polyurethane - he used Flecto Varathane Diamond Wood Finish in satin. Sand with 320 grit paper in between each coat until smooth to the touch. Make sure to use tack cloth to wipe the counter down after each sanding.

He also made this side table from scratch, with the same kind of smooth wood top, but painted instead of stained.

1. Made from 3 knotty pine 2" x 6" boards, cut to 24" lengths (an old butcher block would also work well).

2. Ideally, use biscuits to join the boards together; alternatively use wood glue and clamps and let dry for 24 hours.

3. Sand and prime.

4. Apply 3-5 coats of black satin paint, lightly sanding with 320-400 grit between each coat.

5. He never mentioned a protective coat on the top, so don't think he used one here, but you could use a latex polyurethane if you want, sanding after each coat.

Don't these look amazing? What a great way to be eco-friendly and not over-spend or over-consume. Sustainable design that is within reach for all of us!

PS- I have the full instructions on how to build the rest of the table if anyone is interested- just ask.

I'm linked up here. Check out some other great projects!

decorating according to home style - a home done right

In yesterday's post I wrote about my affinity for homes that in some way reflect the geographical area that they are in. Continuing with that thinking, I also believe that the interiors of homes should reflect the style of the outside of the home. It is always best to work with, not against, the architecture of your space. For example, if a house has modern architectural lines, decorating the inside with ornate and very traditional furnishings will make the home feel "off", no matter how well done. The flip side is tougher- many of us have older, traditional style homes but want to live in contemporary fashion. Updating to all the modern conveniences that we want can be done while still staying true to a home's architectural style - it just takes a little creativity. Use the architecture as a jumping off point, add in the modern and comfortable elements you want, and accent in a fashion suiting the house style.

A great example of this is the vacation home of my uncle and aunt in Eastern Canada.

They have a rustic log home, and though they live a modern and contemporary lifestyle, they renovated and decorated the interior in a way that stays true to a country log cabin aesthetic.

Red is an unexpected punch of colour and works well with the modern black appliances and the newly painted black hutch. The ceiling is clad with plank boards to keep the country-cozy feel, also accomplished by displaying antiques and collectibles on open shelving. Today's everyday kitchen things are out on display and easily accessible, but the old jars and baskets are mixed in with them to add charm.

Natural materials throughout are consistent with the logs used for the home's frame. Family items found in the house were brought out and used for decoration instead of buying new artwork or decorative items.

Trim around windows and floors needed replacing, and the new ones were square-cut and stained to keep the wood look. Even needed new furniture like this side table keeps the look of the rest of the home. 

The bathroom counter was made by hand from wood. The rich dark colour is amazing and complements the modern nickel accents. Check back tomorrow to see how it was done!

Isn't this a fabulous reno? Do you agree that a home's decor should stay true to its roots?

Thanks Larry and Jill for giving us a glimpse into your wonderful home!

friday favourites!

I just love the rustic modern style and I'm so glad that it is making a big splashy return all over the world of design. Just look at this fantastic renovated Spanish farmhouse, posted by The Style Files. I am in love and booking my ticket to Spain...