How to Make a Farmhouse Plank for Around $20 Instead of Spending $100
I’m joining my friends Cindy and Mary Ann today to share our homes in the springtime. I have to say, when we first started talking about this, I somehow let it slip my mind that springtime comes very slowly here in the northeast. This post was the perfect time to share How to Make a Farmhouse Plank for Around $20
Cindy and Mary Ann are in California, where I imagine the fields glowing from the wild mustard seed in bloom. When I lived in California, I would marvel at the green hills this time of year and then turn brown by early summer. In Connecticut, even the forsythia still shows no signs of blooms.
The long winters give us plenty of time for DIY projects. The farmtable plank will be perfect in every season. I imagined pots of springtime plants from the nursery. I managed to find pots of Irish moss, which was unexpected, but I loved it!
Pots of Irish Moss
Quince Branches are a must in the springtime.
I bought my one bundle of Quince branches for the year. They are quite expensive even at the wholesale flower market, but they will last a long time, and as I said…spring comes very slowly around here.
We made two farmtable planks inspired by those we saw at Hudson Grace.
The Supply List
- One 2″ x 10″ x 8′ fir plank (We purchased at Home Depot and had them cut in half for putting it in the car). Cost: $12
- Black Stain (Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black) – A quart will be more than enough.
- leather bootlace for hanging $12
- Sand Paper (Medium-smooth grit)
- Food Grade Mineral Oil
Tools Needed
- Jigsaw, miter, or table saw (You could ask Home Depot to make the length cuts for you).
- Drill with a 1/2″ drill bit
- Electric sander or a book of wood for hand sanding
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut wood to 40 or 48″ long (we made one of each)
- Measure and draw the handle. It is 2 1/4″ wide at the top and 2″ wide at the bottom.
- Cut the handle with the jigsaw.
- Choose the smoothest side of the wood and sand that side, the ends, and the sides. We left the bottom side a little rough but not so rough that you would get a splinter if you ran your hand on it.
- To drill a hole in the handle, measure 1 1/2″ down, which will be your center point for the hole. Drill the hole and sand around the hole as needed.
- Once you are done sanding and happy with the smoothness, wipe down with a damp cloth.
- Once the wood is dry, you are ready to stain. Carefully brush on the stain, trying to avoid brush stroke marks. Repeat the second coat for full coverage.
- When completely dry, apply mineral oil with a soft cloth. (Something that will not shed, like an old t-shirt).
- Attach leather lace to hang when not in use.
Using the Farmtable Plank to serve individual charcuterie servings
After the year we’ve had, we are all looking forward to entertaining again indoors and out. But what will that look like? Will we change the ways we serve food? Especially appetizers or “finger foods.” I have always loved these farmtable serving planks, and only recently have I thought the way I use them might look a little different. Instead of arranging the food on the board in groupings of bread, cheeses, meats, fruit, spreads, and olives on the board, I arranged 4 equal servings and placed them in the middle of the table. You could put each serving closer together and serve up to 6 or 8 if you had the bread at each place setting to save some space on the board.
This is communal in a way that feels like you are coming together, but it’s a little less sharing and touching. What do you think? Are you for it, or do you think we will slowly return to our old ways?
Grapes, Olives in salt cellar dishes, cheese, bread, almonds
Pots of Irish Moss Line the Dining room table for an easy springtime centerpiece. Give one to each of your guests as a parting gift.
Shop the Post
Make sure to visit Mary Ann & Cindy to see what they have going on for Spring in their homes.
Classic Casual Home
Cindy Hattersley Design
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Those branches make the look (tee hee). I love flowering branches. Kidding aside, what a great idea to make those planks they can change the look of your table in a nano minute without looking to fixed. I think I am going to steal your idea…wait I don’t think a long table is in my near future. Great inspiration, as always your diy’s are the best!!
I love the plank idea and the Irish moss lined up for a centerpiece. Where would you get Irish moss?
Hi Sue! I was desperate for any kind of spring plant! I saw pansies today, but nothing earlier in the week. I found the Irish Moss at a wholesale flower market.
I’ve read that you use NON food grade mineral oil on these items as food grade can go rancid. I’ve done all my wooden serving pieces in the non. No problems. I too am looking forward to some things communal! Here’s hoping. Love the idea!
I love this board! Great idea and so reasonable if you make it yourself.
Annie,
I can always count on you to offer some creative ideas for projects. I love the table plants and can see how fun they would be to use to entertain.
xo,
Karen
and then perfect for a little parting gift. I wish I could give you one Karen!
Love this!!!! I know your husband also made you dining table. And I love it as well. What plans did he use?
Loved this springtime post! Your plank is genius and so versatile! Irish moss🍀. Great ideas!