Our definition of Rustic is probably not the same as Euell Gibbons.

Some people interpret rustic as a barn falls down, you grab some planks from the rubble and hammer them together to make a table. Oh, there is an old branch that broke off that tree, we can use that as a table leg.

Actually that is kinda cool and definitely rustic, but not what we are aiming for. Our tables are rustic in that the materials did come from a tree, but then we added in a whole lot of labor. Gluing, sanding and staining takes some time. Each phase needs to pass the “Joe” test before it can go on to the next. Once I hear Joe say “nice”, it has passed.

The last step is poly. We want a nice finish, so we apply at least 2 coats. If Joe doesn’t give his approval, we add another.

We could have saved some time and money, used 4″x4″ for table legs, but that would be silly. Why spend all this time and effort making a beautiful table and not going all the way? Our farmhouse dining tables have turned, vintage style legs.

Same thing with our Whiskey Barrels, we spent a lot of time refinishing them to get the look we were after. Some people rent out barrels with rusty hoops and dark gray staves with stains.

Even though I like the look of rough rustic, I really like the look of elegant rustic, a term my wife came up with. People seem to like it also. Almost every time we setup our tables someone will tell us how beautiful they are.