Distressing Wood - Final Part - Make your own distressed dolls house table

In the two previous features (Part 1 & Part 2) Jane explains various techniques to imitate age and wear & tear on painted and stained wooden surfaces. In this final part, she shows us how to make a side table with distressed painted legs and an aged table top and shelf.

Cutting List

12th Scale Table from 3/32" thick white wood

• 3-3/16" (81mm)  x 1-11/16" (43mm) for table top
• 3" (76mm) x 1-1/2" (38mm) for shelf

From 1/8" x 1/8" square strip wood

• 4 x 2-1/4" (57mm) for legs
• 4 x 2-3/4" (70mm) for long supports
• 4 x 1-1/4" (32mm) for short supports

1/24th Scale Table from 1/16" thick white wood

• 1-1/2" (38mm) x 13/16" (21mm) for table top
• 1-3/8" (35mm) x 11/16" (18mm) for shelf

From 3/32" x 3/32" square strip wood

• 4 x 1-1/8" (29mm) for legs
• 4 x 1-3/16" (30mm) for long supports
• 4 x 1/2" (13mm) for short supports

Step 1

• Mark and cut out 1/8" (3mm) 3/32" (2.5mm) (24th scale table) square at each corner of the lower shelf piece.
• To prevent the wood from splitting make your first cut against the grain, and the second with the grain.

Step 2

• Score 3 even panels into the top of both table top and shelf.
• Use a blunt, pointed instrument.
• Chamfer the edges of the of the panelled sides and stain them.
• When dry lightly sand the surface.
• Apply a small amount of pale grey or white acrylic paint with a dry brush.
• Remove most of the paint with a scrap of cloth.
• Then lightly brush over the pieces to give a subtle dusting of paint.

• All the pieces of square stripwood were painted then distressed using the techniques in Part 1 of this feature.

Step 3

• Place 2 legs in a gluing jig (Lego if you don't have one) with two long support pieces in between.
• Glue together.
• Repeat with the other two legs and long supports.
• Leave to dry.

Step 4

• Place the two leg assemblies to rest as shown in the photo below.
• Join together by gluing 2 short support pieces between them, and in line with the other supports.
• Leave to dry.
• Then turn over and repeat with the other side.

Step 5

• Position and glue the shelf on the bottom supports.
• Glue the top centrally on the frame.

This feature is the 3rd part of a series by Jane Harrop.

To go back to Part 1

To go back to Part 2

This feature was originally published in Dolls House and Miniature Scene magazine. If you like making miniatures, why not buy yourself a copy of the magazine. Or better still take out a subscription so you never miss an issue. For fans of Facebook and Twitter, or to email, print or comment on the feature, please use the buttons above to share with your friends.

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