Decorating a Modern Farmhouse - Reclaimed Barn Wood End Tables (is it "barn wood" or "barnwood"?)

There are a lot of companies selling reclaimed wood, or reclaimed wood "inspired" tables.  Matt and I looked at a lot of tables, but because we can't ever seem to do things in the right order, we noticed that none of the tables were about the same height as the new couch and chair arms.  I then found someone from Wichita with an Etsy store that agreed to build Restoration Hardware-inspired tables for us.  Well....

$800 sent and no tables later...scammed :(  Le sigh.  Even though the Etsy store had tons of positive reviews and sales, it turned out that the furniture maker was actually a chiropractor in Wichita about to get sent to federal prison for Medicare fraud!  I was able to actually get my money refunded (that is a story to tell over drinks at some point), and a couple weeks later, Matt's aunt and uncle were visiting from Dadeville, Missouri.  I already knew Matt's Uncle Scott was a master cabinet maker but, stupid me, did not even realize that would translate into tables (I'll pause and let you finish laughing at me).

So I was complaining about my online experience to him, and he says, "I could build you some tables."  I said that we were really liking that reclaimed wood style, which did not seem to match his expert walnut/oak/pine cabinet style.  UM, WRONG.

Scott has a batch of 100+ year old reclaimed barn wood in his shop.  I mean, authentic old Dadeville barnwood.  And so the journey began...

Scott asked us so many questions about how we would use the tables.  He took exact measurements of the arms of the furniture.  He asked whether we wanted a more unfinished top (but that meant we would use coasters) or if we wanted a lacquered top (I wanted the unfinished style).  He also brainstormed ideas that I had not considered, including a touch-open drawer (therefore no hardware on the front), electrical outlet on the back (for charging phones/computers), and a magnetic top (for maintenance, if any).  Behold...

Here is the smaller end table that will sit between two chairs:

He was so smart to use wood with more character for the apron pieces (look at me, learning wood shop lingo...)

Here is the larger end table:

Hello actual sawmill marks...

And of course, Scott's little Charlie wanted to model her dress-up clothes with the "Grandpa Scott's tables", much to Scott's delight, I'm sure:

Lastly, check out Scott's other amazing projects on his facebook page:

 https://www.facebook.com/Gedstadwoodworks/?fref=ts

He does all of his own work, soup to nuts, and is actually one of those "non scammers" on the internet!  Haha!  Plus, you actually get real reclaimed barnwood!