Masquerading as a mild-mannered cabinet, this buffet slides into action to serve a cozy breakfast for two or a dinner party of six. When unneeded, stow the leaves within the cabinets in slip-cases we’ll show you how to make. When the entire family descends at Thanksgiving, slide out the chip-carved face frame to accommodate the whole crew.
| Recommended Tools | Table saw, jointer, planer, sander, router, drill/driver, clamps, optional: chip-carving knives, sewing machine |
| Materials | Walnut, walnut plywood, birch plywood, table slides, assorted hardware |
| License | ©Copyright Meredith Corporation |
| File Types |
Can this plan be modified to use on a regular table — I’m trying to find a farm house table that expands for extra seating and then goes back to normal?
Hi Jennie,
The expansion mechanism that this buffet uses is the same that is used in expanding dining tables. So, there are techniques that can be applied. However, it would be a major redesign and re-engineering to use this as a starting point for a farmhouse-style expanding table. So, you’d need to be pretty confident in your design skills.
One point to consider in your redesign: Many farmhouse-style tables are trestle tables where the feet are connected by a beam, and that beam is sometimes the foundation for angled supports beneath the tabletop. Many (though certainly not all) expanding table designs feature legs that pull apart from one another when opening to accommodate the leaf, which couldn’t happen with a beam connecting the feet. There are expanding pedestal-style tables where the mechanism is attached to a central support and the tabletop separates while the central legs/base remain motionless. That type of design might make a better starting point for a makeover for farmhouse style. Sort of a faux trestle table where the “pedestal” is elongated to look like a trestle table? Hope that makes sense.