I love the look of old antique Chinese stools because they’re full of character. I’ve seen them used as accent tables, benches, and even coffee tables. The larger they are of course the pricier and more challenging they are to come by. Like most projects I knew we could make this style coffee table ourselves, and with some heavy elbow grease distress enough to pretty closely resemble the look I was after.

MATERIALS:

1 2×12 pine board
1 2×4 pine board
1 2×2 pine board
Finish of choice
Minwax polycrilic 
Coarse wire brush drill attachment
Jig saw
Router/planer
3.5” ScrewsWood glue
Palm sander
Hand saw

We started with a 2×12 pine board and cut it in half lengthwise down the center, making two pieces.

Then, rip one of the long edges ¼” and repeat on the second board. A planer is easiest for this step to cut the roundness off the edges. The same can be accomplished with a router. 

Once ripped, flip boards on their sides using ½” bit and drill ½” deep. Be sure to match boards up correctly and drill same into the other. Then, add the ½” flat head wood plugs. Also, clamp and glue the two boards together. 

Next, cut 2×4’s to desired length for the legs. We made ours 16.5” and cut them at 10 degrees parallel. Essentially looking like this //.

Attach the legs to the table using kreg jig and pocket holes if you prefer. We attached 6” from the end of the 2×12, affix using two screws into each 2×4 leg. 

Cut 2×2 to fit between the front legs and side legs on each side. On each end of the table 4” high on legs, cut the 2×2 to fit at 10 degrees perpendicular. Essentially looking like this / \. Ours was 17.”

Affix using two screws on the underside and inside the table.

On the long side of the table 9” high on legs, straight cut the 2×2 to fit. Ours was 29.5.”

Affix using two screws on the underside and inside the table.

Once the table was built, we went in and heavily distressed it. There are many ways to do this but the most authentic way I’ve found is using a few extra tools.

Start by using the jigsaw and make up and down cuts along the edges of the tabletop on all sides. Then, take it along the legs and center 2×2 brace pieces.

Next, using a small hand saw shave off chunks of 2×4 on the legs and also hit the tabletop along the long edges. This really gives the table that aged authentic look just like those beautiful Chinese stools.

We also used the wire brush dill attachment to wire brush along the table top, sides and legs. It creates grooves in the wood and will give the table an aged look. Once the stain is on it will be darker in those areas and really give it more of that authentic aged look.

Finally, I like to take screws, nails, chain link, and a hammer and beat up the tabletop and legs. I hammer the screws on their sides to indent the wood, same with nails. The chain link I’ll use the hammer and indent the wood by hammering the links. You can even use the end of the hammer to indent the wood. This really creates unique markings that the stain will soak into and create even more character to the wood.

These last few distressing steps are really critical in creating a table that looks truly aged. Of course, you can skip it but the elbow grease and extra work it took to age the wood really makes a huge difference in the overall appearance of the table.

The first project we made using this same technique was a bench. Last year we also made a stool for my son’s bedroom. You could make a stool, coffee table, side table or bench using this technique and same style. I love the look of each one!

If you use our tutorial to make one, I’d love to see your project. Send me a photo or tag me on IG – so fun to share your projects inspired by ours on IG stories.Thanks for stopping by the blog today, and I hope this tutorial helps get you creating a unique aged piece of furniture yourself!