Build a simple table for two

While the dining room may get a workout when company calls, a small table can come in handy in a cozy kitchen. I designed this project so it's quick to construct-even for a novice woodworker. The best part is, if you start it right after breakfast, it should be ready to finish by suppertime. Pre-turned legs and simple, strong corner joinery make it all possible.

If you don't have the time or the tools to turn your own table legs, purchasing pre-turned components makes sense. A variety of styles and species are available at your local hardware store. I got mine from a mail-order company called Woodturners Inc. (www.woodturners.ca; 877-603-9663). I purchased the paint-grade legs with the intention of painting the bottom of the table and leaving the top natural. But when I received my legs, the soft maple looked so flawless, I couldn't bear to hide the grain. That's why I made the rest of the table from the same wood species.

Table Basics
Most tables have an essential form: a base of four legs, four aprons that connect the legs, and a top. But even within such a simple design, it's always nice to throw in a curve. While sketching up ideas for this table, I included arched aprons for added elegance. Those curves reflect some of the turned elements in the legs and they provides more legroom, too.

You'll need about 18 board feet of wood for this table. I used rough-sawn, 1"-thick wood and milled it in my shop with a jointer and planer. Standard, preplaned 3/4"-thick lumber will work every bit as well. However, if you're feeling adventurous, you could even plane your own rough wood by hand, since the quantities required are so small.

With your planed wood in hand, select boards for the top, paying attention to the grain patterns. Arrange the boards so that the best-looking grain will form the top surface.

Dry-fit the boards to ensure gap-free joints, then take them apart, apply glue and clamp. Remove glue squeeze-out when it's half-hard, then let the top dry for a couple of hours before removing the clamps. (For tips on creating perfectly edge-glued boards, see this article.)