This project was built and designed by Jonny from Jonny Builds. It’s a stunning farmhouse-style dining table made with reclaimed barn wood and detailed with eye-catching epoxy inlays.
Blending rustic materials with modern design techniques, Jonny shows how to take rough, imperfect wood and turn it into a piece that feels at home in both contemporary and traditional spaces. The end result is a table full of character, history, and craftsmanship.
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Why Choose Reclaimed Barnwood
For this build, Jonny sourced reclaimed oak from Vintage Reclaimed Lumber in Oklahoma City. The wood came from barns estimated to be between 50 to 100 years old, offering rich character and a sense of history that new lumber simply can’t match.
Working with reclaimed wood also supports sustainability by giving new life to materials that would otherwise go to waste. While reclaimed wood can be more challenging to work with, it often rewards builders with unmatched texture and authenticity.
Dealing with the Challenges of Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood rarely comes straight and perfect. Many boards showed signs of cupping, twisting, and other natural wear.
Rather than fighting against these imperfections, Jonny embraced them, carefully selecting and preparing boards that would fit the design vision. This approach added a layer of rustic charm to the finished piece without sacrificing quality.
Preparing the Legs from the Beam
The reclaimed beam intended for the table legs had to be cut down into blanks. Jonny used a bandsaw to resaw the material, though blade deflection during cuts created the need for extra trimming and cleanup.
Ensuring that each leg blank was flat and square took some time but was necessary for stability. These efforts paid off later when assembling the clean Parsons-style base.
Building the Tabletop
The tabletop layout involved alternating pieces of red and white oak to create visual interest. After rough placement, Jonny planed and trimmed each board to size.
To ensure alignment during glue-up, domino joinery was used between boards. This technique was especially helpful in pulling slightly warped pieces into line and ensuring a flatter finished surface.
Flattening and Sanding for a Perfect Surface
After the glue-up, Jonny used a router sled to flatten both sides of the tabletop. This method removes high spots while preserving as much of the reclaimed wood’s original surface as possible.
A full sanding process followed, starting with lower grits and moving up to achieve a smooth, epoxy-ready surface. Care was taken to maintain the worn character of the boards while preparing them for finishing.
Adding the Epoxy Inlays
Jonny incorporated bright epoxy inlays to fill voids and cracks, giving the table a vibrant, one-of-a-kind look. Aluminum tape was used to seal the bottom side of the table, preventing leaks during the pour.
The resin was mixed with pigments to create rich colors, adding an artistic touch to the otherwise rustic material. Careful pouring and monitoring helped contain the flow, though some adjustments were needed when the epoxy spread more than expected.
Lessons Learned During the Epoxy Process
One challenge Jonny faced was epoxy bleeding onto the surface after the initial pour. He found that heating the cured resin slightly made cleanup easier.
Using high-quality tape and sealing all cracks thoroughly were other important lessons. Despite these hurdles, the end result was worth the extra effort and showcased the dramatic contrast between wood and epoxy.
Assembling the Base and Attaching the Tabletop
With the epoxy cured, it was time to assemble the table. The legs were attached to the apron with domino joinery for maximum strength.
Initially, Jonny tried securing the aprons with screws alone, but found that this didn’t offer enough rigidity. Switching to mortised joints improved the overall stability of the frame.
Once the base was assembled, table buttons were used to secure the tabletop while allowing for seasonal wood movement. This method ensures that the tabletop remains flat and crack-free over time.
Finishing Touches and Protective Coating
A water-based satin topcoat was applied to protect the wood and enhance its natural color. Several coats were used, with light sanding between each one to achieve a smooth, durable finish.
The final result was a beautiful table that preserved the character of the reclaimed wood while offering a modern, clean look suitable for any home.
A Rewarding Project with Lasting Beauty
Jonny’s farmhouse dining table is a perfect example of blending traditional materials with modern techniques. Working with reclaimed wood and epoxy inlays can be challenging, but the results speak for themselves.
Each board, crack, and filled void tells a story, giving the table a depth and richness that new materials rarely provide. This project is ideal for woodworkers looking to push their skills and create something meaningful and lasting.
Please support Jonny by checking out his website here: https://www.jonny-builds.com/.