Plans

Free Woodworking Plans to Build a PotteryBarn Inspired Cheswick Coffee Table

02.07.11 By //
The Design Confidential Free Woodworking Plans to Build a PotteryBarn Inspired Cheswick Coffee Table

This piece marks the beginning of a new collection here on TDC! Exciting right? Now we are still working through a few other collections, but I like to jump around a bit and keep it fresh… This piece retails for nearly $400 once you factor in shipping and tax (eek), but you can build a similar and exceptionally beautiful table for closer to $50! Yay for that. The original (allegedly) has decorative legs on the very bottom which you can opt to purchase and add on to your own build, or you can miter the edges of each leg to create that extra decorative touch if you like. I also love the simplicity of straight legs (they have me at hello, every time…)so feel free to leave them as shown below and enjoy!

$50-$75
  • 1 – 2×2 at 6’
  • 1 – 2×3 at 6’
  • 2 – 1×3 at 10′
  • 1 – 1×2 at 10’
  • **1 – 1×24 at 48” this can be substituted for a plywood or MDF if you prefer, and even for a series of boards (1×3’s, 1×6’s anything along these lines will look fabulous!)
  • **1/4 – 1/2 sheet of 3/4” plywood depending on whether you choose to use a project board for the top or if you use plywood and edge banding.
  • 4 – 2×3 at 16 1/4″ Legs
  • 4 – 1×3 at 16 1/4″ Legs
  • 2 – 1×3 at 38” Aprons
  • 2 – 1×3 at 14″ Side Aprons
  • 3 – 2×2 at 15 1/2” Supports
  • 2 – 1×2 at 14″ Rails
  • 2 – 1×2 at 38″ Rails
  • 1 – 3/4” Ply at 14” x 38” Shelf
  • 1 – 2’x4’ project board OR 1 – 3/4” ply at 24” x 48” Top

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Build the Leg Base: The Legs will each be a 2×3 and a 1×3 joined to form an almost 3×3 leg post. Glue and Screw Together using 2” screws and a countersink bit to predrill. Fasten the aprons in place, in the center of the inside of each leg or set back 3/4” from the inside of each leg. Use your pocket hole system set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue to fasten the aprons to the legs. Fasten the supports in place. These exist to allow you to attach your top easily from underneath, without the need to screw through top leaving visible fasteners. Attach the supports using your pocket hole system set for 3/4” stock and 1 1/4” screws and glue to fasten them to the aprons. You might also create pocket holes around the apron perimeter for fastening the table top in place in a later step. It would behoove you to do this prior to fastening the aprons in place.

Fasten the Rails in place. Attach the rails to the Legs using your pocket hole system set for 3/4” stock and your 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue. Note that the rails sit 4” from the bottom of the legs. Fasten your shelf to the rails as shown below, using your pocket hole system set for 3/4” stock and 1 1/4” pocket hole screws and glue.

Fasten the Top in place using 2” Screws and glue from underneath through the support beams. If you desire you can shoot a few screws up into the top through the aprons at an angle from the inside to secure even further.

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

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