Designed at the height of a standard hall table, with elegantly tapered legs, this slimline kitchen table takes up minimum floor space while providing an extra work surface and drawer for cutlery and utensils.

We used reclaimed Oregon because the close grain and recycled feel gives it country-style appeal, but use any quality, fine-grained cabinet timber, such as Tasmanian oak or meranti. Apply a clear finish such as Estapol or Danish oil to highlight the grain.

The legs and rails use dowel joints, the tabletop is attached with brackets.

Tile inserts on the top protect the table from moisture or heat damage. Design your own, or follow our pattern, which requires six 100 x 100mm and 96 25 x 25mm mosaics (about 0.06m2 of mosaics attached to a reinforcing mat). You’ll need an adhesive that bonds to timber and ceramic, such as Selleys Liquid Nails Fast, plus grout.

STEP 1

Laminate the tabletop
Join boards to form the tabletop using five #20 biscuits or dowels every 200mm, applying adhesive to both edges and slots, clamp and leave to dry. When dry, use a sliding compound mitre saw to cut to length.
TIP Use offcuts to hold the timber when clamping to prevent bruising.

STEP 2

Set out the rail centres
On the end of the back and end rails, mark the centre-line along the lengths. Mark the dowel centres for dowel holes 15mm in from each edge (see Diagram 1).
TIP Number the rail ends and legs for accurate reassembly.

STEP 3

Drill the dowel holes
Clamp the rails in a vice and use a dowelling jig with 10mm-diameter dowel bit to drill holes 27mm deep.
TIP Wrap masking tape around the drill bit as a depth guide.