Pallet Farm Table Desk Part 1 – gathering the wood
Much like these cedar fence planks all lined up in a group, I’ve been swarmed with good wishes and kudos over the last little while. If you’re new here, you can get caught up on ‘the book’ news HERE.
So while I get all that sorted out, I felt it was now or never to get started on a new project I’ve been wanting for a very long time!
I have visioned a super long 12 foot Pallet Farm Table Desk in a downstairs office. There is a large picture window in the basement, and a long desk along the entire stretch of that wall could be such an amazing workspace!
Plus, giving it a farmhouse feel would be totally cool and not something you see everyday! Add the fact that this would be entirely made out of reclaimed wood making it free too? Well… sounds like a clear win to me!
So it was time to get this dream furniture build underway… even though I had NO idea what I was doing.
I had never built furniture from scratch before, so I was somewhat hesitant on how to go about this. After a little advice from builder friends, it sounded as if I was on the right track. After a little general knowledge going over basic framework for stability, it was time to gather up the wood.
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Pallet Farm Table Desk Part 1 – gathering the wood
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Pallet Farm Table Desk Series
2 – the build
3 – the reveal
Visit all 3 parts HERE
Wood used for this project:
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- Pallet wood oak posts
- Reclaimed wood cedar fence planks
- Reclaimed 2x4s
Gathering the wood
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I’ve been gathering up reclaimed wood from my favorite pallet shopping mall HERE. I found a few 4×4 pallet posts one day, however they weren’t enough, so I couldn’t start the desk yet.
And then on this fine rainy day, I see these posts and boards sitting behind my truck after another day working at the same location.
Oh how it PAYS to chat to others about what you’re building! Matt who works there knew I was looking for more pallet posts so he removed these posts off firetruck palettes for me! You rock, Matt.
Pallet posts
These are posts from very large firetruck pallets and the coolest part is, they are made out of solid OAK!
This doesn’t look like much yet, but these boards are about to become a real deal pallet farm table desk in no time! You just wait and see. 🙂
Reclaimed 2x4s
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new vs. used… which would you use?
I also had a stash of reclaimed 2x4s that I incorporated into the build. The most fun is finding all kinds of odds and sods and making them work.
The choice to purchase them new was there of course, but when I found the old ones, that’s the way I chose to go!
I’m a firm believer in, if you want your projects to look old, use reclaimed wood where possible.
Reclaimed cedar fence planks
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Next up, these cedar fence planks were in my neighbour’s yard. They didn’t want them any longer and I asked if I could take them off their hands. They said yes!
So I threw the cedar planks over their fence into my own yard.What a great haul!
Did you read about the dumpster that parked next door? You have to read it. One of the best days of my entire life is HERE. 🙂
The planks are apparently very old although they look brand new. I was thrilled to take them off their hands and knew I’d eventually figure out what to do with them. It sure pays to stockpile reclaimed wood!
These planks would indeed become the top of this pallet farm table desk!
How to clean reclaimed wood
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To clean reclaimed wood, I generally pressure wash, then stack to dry.
Since this wood wasn’t mildewed or really even dirty in any way, I decided to wash these down by hand with a scrub brush and soapy water.
Then they were rinsed off with a water hose.
Stack on cement to dry
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Wet wood is best stacked on cement, then standing up with air space between each plank, otherwise the wood will warp.
To store, wait until the boards are completely dry, then stack in such a way that allows some air flow if possible.
Aren’t they gorgeous?!?
I love how I can enjoy this desk for many years to come and think of the generosity of my neighbours. And be grateful for my firetruck place stash.
So… wanna see what I’m building? I’ll show you my high tech plans to mull over…
The pallet farm table desk plans
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Could you build a desk around this plan? 🙂
This is my first build entirely from scratch, so this would indeed be a wonderful challenge…
And you know what? My idea is working!
Continue with Part 2 below!
Pallet Farm Table Desk Series
Visit all 3 parts HERE
or visit posts individually below:
2 – the build
3 – the reveal
A boat load of questions answered on the farm table desk
Donna,
They look perfect. I will be waiting with all the other thousands of your fans. 🙂 Really, I am so excited about the(YOUR)book. It just shows that hard work and lots of talent sometime merge.
smiles, alice
you rock girl! you give all us wanna be builders such hope. i am sitting on the edge of the couch waiting for this desk build to be complete. and yes, the drawing is awesome..what more do you need cuz its all in the head anyhoo.
judi
OH GLORY BE!!! LOOK at that wood!!!! Loving it already ~ Just look at that color!! Look forward to seeing more
I am so excited for you and I CANNOT wait to buy a copy of the Funky Junk book!
Can’t wait to see the finished results…
sandraallen260@centurytel.net
You definitely have so me great wood to work with. It’s going to look glorious!
What the?? You can get cheap/free wood somewhere? How can I get in on all this lovelyness?
#7 Mandi, I get my wood from broken down palettes you can find for free most anywhere. Some places resell the palettes however others throw them out or give them away. It pays to ask.
This is something else I’m going deeper into in ‘the book’ as well. How to find what I do.
Donna
Hello Donna…I’m new to your blog, but I get so inspired reading your posts! I just recently moved into a house built in 1948 along the Oregon Coast. It has so much character & I want to keep the decor rather vintage-ish. Your pallet table is ideal for my house. Luckily we have a very cool architectural salvage place not far & I know exactly where the perfect lumber is for a project like this!! Can’t wait to see your progress so I can replicate it! 🙂 I wish you luck with your book!! Thanks so much for sharing your ideas.
Beautiful wood there Donna. I can’t wait to see the finished product! I also have a pile of wood behind my shed from when our neighbours ripped down a fence. they were just going to throw it away so i grabbed as much as I could. I plan to make a BBQ table one day.
I love the idea of palet wood for a desk, it’s great wood, why throw it out, I say…Have you seen my rusty bucket post called “hanging pot” at Mel’s Cabin? Hop on over when you get the chance…you’re mentioned again….
Great post! I can’t wait to see what how the finished product looks. And your banana belt weather sounds awesome. I grew up in SW Washington and I love the rain. Having things be green all the time is well worth getting wet 🙂
LOL ! We have a WHOLE drawer of “plans” like that ( your envelope!) Good luck, I’m sure it’s gonna turn out great… I’ll wait for the final product pics !
Tammy
http://www.junksituation.blogspot.com
We’ve used plans like that too, and also more elaborate ones, depending on what we are building.
It is always a treat to visit your blog. What an inspiration you are.
Looking forward to seeing this next wonderful project of yours.
Happy Creating ~ FlowerLady
Wow, that is gorgeous wood! Can’t wait to watch this unfold. And I can so picture you out there throwing those planks over the fence!
What no winter in Canada? I didn’t think there was such a place. Your grass always does look greener.
OOh Donna… Can’t wait to see this one!!
~Whitney
Your wood is simply gorgeous! I must admit I try not to look too hard or I start to covet… haha! 🙂 I can’t wait to see the finished product! I had to laugh because I am currently working through a stack of “plans.” We currently live in a tiny (1200 sq ft, 3 bdrm) house with low ceilings but it is about to get bigger. We are having an addition build and I’m drew up the building plans. Currently I am working on the room plans… and then it will be plans for the furniture (so the project doesn’t end us in the poor house. LOL) SO right now you are providing LOTS of inspiration! Thanks!!
That wood is gorgeous! What a find!
The “junk blog of the day” made me laugh. That could sound like a bad thing to someone who doesn’t understand the glory of junk. 🙂
Hi Donna-
My olfactory senses are getting a wood fix when I viewed the photos of you washing the planks – do they smell as good as they look?
Nice to receive a mention on Junk Radio 🙂 What a fun site.
My best- Diane
I think I have wood-envy!!! I’m heading out to find palettes. Can’t wait to see the table. Jan
Ooooh I can’t wait to see your desk! I know it will be fabulous and unique!
Junk Radio?! Wow, never heard of it! I, too, looking forward to seeing your new desk! It will be awesome, I’m sure.
Ever faithful follower.
~Pam
I’m tellin’ ya, girl…they are coming at ya from all directions. Now a radio show!! Pretty soon, you are going to have your own freakin Funky Junk TV Show. :)))
That wood is beautiful. Can not WAIT to see your desk. I know it will blow our sox off.
‘hugs, bj
I have NO idea why my comment came out as Anonymous..that’s MOI.
This is going to turn out gorgeous!!! I’m green with envy.
Junk In My Trunk is a local show that I just found out about a couple of weeks ago. Cool that they are featuring you.
I LOVED knowing that you washed the wood. That made me so happy.
smiles,
~Kolein
Donna – Where DO you get all your energy? Wish I could find just a fraction of it! Congratulations on the upcoming book. My sister was involved in a group of gals that recently saw their very own magazine published and what a satisfying experience. Best to you on your success. 🙂
Have you discovered CREATIVE AMBITIONS blog? I just did. And, I’m in love…and I know you will be, too. OMG
Go see it.
creative-ambitions.blogspot.com
you just crack me up. but I admire your brilliant imagination and am looking forward to seeing the finished product. Oddly enough, I am germinating the seed of an idea for an art project using a shipping pallet. more to come on that too… I don’t happen to have a source for a pallet (yet).
I must say, you do have lovely grass! I cannot believe that the pallets were made of oak. Lucky you!
Beautiful, beautiful wood!!!
We just got some reclaimed gymnasium flooring and have really been having fun with it.
Your blog is such an inspiration!
🙂
Where DO you live?? I want to move there! I live in Coeur d’Alene, ID and in the summer it’s like heaven, but man these winters are getting old…
Your projects are beautiful and so inspiring!! Thanks 🙂
After I went back and read a little of her blog, I see that you two know each other. (Creative Ambitions)…ok…just wanted to be sure you knew her.
Hi! A fellow fraser valleyite here…can you tell me the type of brush you were using to clean the wood, and where I could get one too? Thanks!
if these came off of a pallet…where are the nail holes>
It pays off to be a chatty Cathy sometimes, lol! Love that Matt, disassembled the posts you need and left them for you to load in your truck!
I consider myself to be pretty good at networking and I attribute it to my gift of gab I inherited from my Dad.