Building a Mission-Style Side Table – Quarter-Sawn Elegance

Article 52: Building a Mission-Style Side Table – Quarter-Sawn Elegance

By: A Woodworker Rooted in the Arts and Crafts Tradition

Mission furniture emphasizes straight lines, exposed joinery, and beautiful quarter-sawn oak. This side table project is an ideal weekend build that blends beauty with utility.

Materials

• 4/4 Quarter-sawn white oak (approx. 10 board feet)

• 1/2" oak dowels

• Wood glue

• Stain (optional: fumed look) and lacquer or oil finish

Cut List

• Top: 20" x 20"

• Legs (4): 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" x 24"

• Side aprons (2): 16" x 3 1/2"

• Front/back aprons (2): 12" x 3 1/2"

• Slats (6): 3/4" x 3/4" x 12"

• Bottom shelf: 15" x 15"

Tools Needed

• Table saw and miter saw

• Mortiser or chisel

• Doweling jig

• Sander

• Clamps

Steps

1. Mill Lumber

   • Plane and square all components. Pay attention to ray fleck orientation on top.

2. Joinery

   • Cut mortises in legs for slats and aprons. Tenon the ends of the slats and aprons.

3. Dry Fit and Glue-Up

   • Assemble sides first with slats, then connect with front/back aprons. Clamp square.

4. Attach Top and Shelf

   • Use figure-8 fasteners or Z-clips to allow wood movement. Glue shelf in place if desired.

5. Finish

   • Use a dye stain or fuming technique to enhance ray fleck. Topcoat with lacquer.

Sketch – Front View

 ____________________
|                    |
|    Tabletop (20")  |
|____________________|
||    ||    ||    || ← Slats
||    ||    ||    ||
|------------------|
|   Bottom Shelf   |
|__________________|