Country Kitchen Work Table

Pre-turned legs and loose tenons make this table simple, stylish, and strong.

Designer/Builder/Writer: Craig Bentzley

Kitchens demand more from every square inch than any other room. To earn its keep, the furniture in it must serve multiple uses. That’s the inspiration for this table. The drop-leaf table offers space for everything from food preparation to informal meals. In addition, the classic design makes it suitable for other rooms and functions.

Router-made mortises and loose tenons keep the joinery quick, strong, and simple. We also designed it to be cost-effective. By deciding to paint the base (see “Add Crackle to Your Finish,” page 39), we were able to use less-expensive materials (poplar, soft maple, and plywood), keeping the total materials bill under $400.

Best of all, you don’t need a lathe! We used pre-turned legs from Osborne Wood Products (see the Convenience-Plus Buying Guide, page 37) that cost less than $125, including shipping. If you decide to take a spin at turning, you can download CAD drawings of the leg from the company’s Web site.