A Cup of Coffee and a Story About Georges Woodworks
You know, living in a small town like Taos has its charm—the mountains surrounding us, the smell of pine mixed with the thrill of creativity in the air. We’ve got this little place, Georges Woodworks, that has been a focal point of my DIY endeavors. So, one morning, with a steaming cup of black coffee warming my hands, I figured I’d talk about one of my favorite (and slightly disastrous) projects that happened not too long ago in that very shop.
The Project That Almost Got the Best of Me
It all started when I decided I wanted to build a coffee table. Not just any table—oh no—this table would be an heirloom piece, passed down to my kids with a story attached to every scratch and dent. I wanted to use a nice slab of walnut because, well, who can resist that deep, rich color and the swirling patterns? It sort of makes you feel like you’re bringing a piece of the forest into your home, doesn’t it?
So I went down to Georges Woodworks, and the moment I walked in, the smell of sawdust hit me like a nostalgic wave. It’s almost like a comforting hug, reminding you of all those rough edges turned smooth and the art that springs from raw material. I grabbed a slab of walnut that was practically singing to me, and my heart raced with excitement.
The Tools and the Trouble
Now, I had gathered my tools: a relatively new circular saw—Bosch, if I remember correctly—some clamps, wood glue, and of course, my trusty sander. I’m telling you, that thing sounds like a beast revving up when you switch it on. I can still hear that high-pitched whine, echoing off the walls of my garage as I prepped the wood.
Then, well… things went sideways, fast. I miscalculated the lengths when I was cutting the side pieces. The first slice was perfect, but after that—I don’t know what I was thinking—my mind was off in never-never land worrying about how this coffee table was going to look. I lined everything up wrong, and before I knew it, I had two mismatched sides that didn’t fit.
The Moment of Doubt
I almost threw that piece of walnut right out the garage door. Just. Gave. Up. I watched it there, on my workbench, feeling like a sadness settled over me like a fog. That was my walnut, and yet here I was, ready to toss it aside as if it didn’t matter. But then, in a moment of clarity—or maybe desperation—I remembered all those times I’d spent in the shop. Each dent and mistake in my previous works was a notch in my belt.
So, with a deep breath, I told myself, “Rework it. You can do this.” I grabbed the wood filler, and you’d be surprised how forgiving that stuff can be. Mix it up, apply it where I messed up, and sand it down. Man, oh man, it felt like magic when I saw those imperfections vanish under my hands.
A Smell of Success
Once I finally got the pieces together—each corner labeled with a “no, not again” kind of determination—the time came to stain. I went with a beautiful dark espresso stain. Oh, the smell! Like fresh coffee drenching the morning air. I could almost sit there and just breathe it in.
And you know what? When I applied that final coat of polyurethane, I genuinely laughed when I stepped back and took a look. The wood came alive in a way I didn’t expect. The grain seemed to pop, and every swirl of color told its own little story—a reflection of the mess I had made before.
The Final Touch
Now, tabletop completed, it came time to attach the legs. I couldn’t go with just any legs, no way. I wanted to make the base myself, so I grabbed some 2x4s from Georges. I built a rustic frame, trusted my instinct, and all the while held on to the feeling that I was truly making something special for myself.
Once it was set up, I put that table in my living room, and let me tell you, it felt more like home already. It wasn’t perfect—there are little mismatched spots and some character lines if you look closely—but it tells a story.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Sometimes we have these great visions that don’t pan out the way we imagine. But rather than wallowing in that mess, dig into it. Rework it, mess it up some more, and find the beauty again. If you’re thinking about setting out to make something, whether it’s woodworking or anything else, just do it. Laugh at the mistakes and cherish them as part of the journey. Each rough cut and miscalculated angle adds life to the creation.
And next time you find yourself in Taos, swing by Georges Woodworks. Even if you don’t need to buy anything, just inhale that sawdust-filled air. Who knows? You might just leave with an idea or two—or just maybe a little nibbler of inspiration to create your own masterpiece. So, go ahead, grab that cup of coffee, roll up those sleeves, and jump in. You won’t regret it.
