Welcome to my workshop! Today I'm going to take you through the process of building a stunning coffee table that will be the envy of all your guests. This coffee table is not just any old piece of furniture, it's a custom creation that features a map of your favorite location inlaid into the tabletop. Let's get started!
First things first, we need to select our wood. For this project, we're going to use white oak for the tabletop, maple for the map, and black walnut for the trim. White oak is a great choice for a coffee table because it's a durable hardwood that can handle the wear and tear of daily use. Black walnut, on the other hand, has a beautiful dark color and grain pattern that will complement the white oak & maple nicely.
Once we have our wood selected, we can move on to creating the map inlay. For this, we'll use a piece of maple that we'll engrave with the map of your chosen location. This will be a time-consuming process, but the end result will be well worth it. Once the map is engraved, we'll carefully fit it into the tabletop, trimming it with the black walnut to give it some character.
Next, we'll fill the map inlay with resin. This will create a smooth and durable surface that will protect the map and give it a beautiful shine. The resin will need to cure for several days, so we'll need to be patient before moving on to the next step.
Finally, we'll attach a base to the coffee table. This can be a metal base or a custom mountain laurel base, depending on your preferences. Both options will give the coffee table a unique and stylish look that will make it a conversation starter in any room. A mountain laurel base takes more time to create, but it's worth it!
And there you have it, a beautiful coffee table that's not only functional but also a work of art. Whether you're a fan of maps or just love the natural beauty of wood, this coffee table is sure to impress. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your new one-of-a-kind piece of furniture!