Many materials are versatile enough for us to bend, mold, and shape into the things we want.
Wood, for example, is perhaps universally the most perfect tool to work with in DIY projects, as it comes directly from the earth around us. It is truly quite breathtaking how the bounty of our natural resources can inspire us to build beautiful things right at home.
Many builders out there have made amazing masterpieces using just wood, like this crafter who made a gorgeous coffee table out of an old whiskey barrel.
Similarly, Imgur user KodyPro bought a regular slab of wood for $20, and used a couple of standard tools to transform the material into something pretty spectacular. In a few simple steps, he fashioned something that not only was useful, but also perfectly rustic.
Read on to see some photos and learn how this simply elegant piece of furniture was put together, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Imgur user KodyPro bought a rough cut of a poplar wood slab for $20.
He proceeded to remove the bark, and to give it a good first round of sanding.
Then came most of the grunt work: planing the wood. Planes are often electrical tools that are used to shape wood. They can help flatten the surface, and leave a smooth finish to rough edges.
A heap of planing has to be done before the wood can be further structured...
The slab was fitted with hairpin legs, and given a test run in the living room.
The user applied a MinWax Special Walnut stain on the wood.
Several coats of stain had to be applied for it to give off a sleek, polished appearance.
Lastly, he spray-painted the hairpin legs black, and finished them up with a few coats of water-based polyurethane, a clear wood finish.
And, voilà! The end product blended seamlessly into the earthy-toned living room, and looked beautifully simple and rustic.
It just goes to show how versatile a simple piece of wood can be, and how well it can be broken down to suit any aesthetic.
Isn't it amazing when talented folks make such beautiful objects from the nature around us?
Please SHARE if you'd love an all-natural table like this in your home!
