Story of a Table: Plans, Designs, and The Lorimer Workshop

Here's the beginning of the story.

I've always felt that a huge table is the heart of a home. At least, the heart of the kind of home I want to have. A massive table sees dinner parties, family meals, late-night writing sessions, flower-arranging, and bottles of wine with friends and conversation that extends far into the night. This kind of rich future meant that I wanted a table with a past. For reasons of sustainability and texture, I wanted a table built of reclaimed wood.

Enter David Ellison of The Lorimer Workshop.

I was searching on Etsy for something else and stumbled across David's custom-made farm tables. I couldn't believe how great the prices were - only $875 for an 8-foot farm table built of reclaimed wood. And then I read his profile:

I have been restoring antique furniture for many years. About three years ago I started to build Farm Tables and this has become my absolute avocation and joy. I love the role of a table in a house hold and truly recognize the significance to the customer. I take this very seriously. Tables are at the center of a home structure and I build them with care. I'm almost sixty years old and this stage of my life is really fantastic.

Call me sentimental, but I knew this was the person I wanted to have build one of the most important pieces of furniture I would ever own.

I was recently engaged, and as we planned out our new home, my fiance and I decided to ask David to build us a table. He was wonderful to speak with over the phone, and he told us that he would be sending photos at each stage of the process. Every table he sells is custom-built and we would choose the width, shape of the legs, and stain as it progressed.

So keep reading for the story of my table as it evolves. As I've received photos it's been a fascinating look into the new life of a custom-built table!

Oh, and a p.s. As my fiance and I talked about other furniture we wanted, we realized that it would be easier to just ask David to build the other two pieces of furniture we wanted to invest in immediately. Can you guess?

The first, of course, is a bed! Well, a headboard anyway. He is building us a custom headboard similar to this design. The second is an altar for our wedding which will double as a console table after the wedding.

So, bed, board, and altar. We can hardly wait to see how each piece turns out, and we're so glad we're doing it all in one place.

Now we're curious - what is your "one thing" piece of furniture? A table? Sofa? Particular vintage piece you've coveted for years? And have you already got it, or are you still waiting?

• Visit David Ellison and see his tables at: The Lorimer Workshop. He is based in Rhode Island but will be shipping my table to Ohio at a very reasonable cost.

(Images: The Lorimer Workshop)

yup, wicked impressive. Better proportions than the other ones too.

posted by Easyenough on July 25th 2008 at 11:48am
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That table is beautiful. Truly amazing.

posted by tara1979 on July 25th 2008 at 11:48am
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I totally agree. However, my wife & I just had a very very similar table custom built for our home, 44x68, made of pine. Rustic, heavy, and with tons of character - for only $350 from a gentlemen, named Scott, who lives near Joliet. He took our inspiration photo, located here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2008-international/international-finalist-aads-compact-dwelling-050421
did a fantastic job, and hand delivered to our apartment in Rogers Park for free.

If anyone is interested, I would love to refer him to anyone who is interested in custom, rustic farm tables, and wonderful service. Please email me if you would like his email address.

posted by eddivegas on July 25th 2008 at 11:49am
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can't wait to see the finished product

posted by LaDonnaNichole on July 25th 2008 at 7:01pm
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I really like this story. I like the table, I like your passion for an artisan's work, and your quest fulfilled, and I think a bunch of us like that you're expressing yourself in the first person. It sounds so real, this is a real experience for you, and not "you all," but we all can relate to it. There are so many things right about this article that this blog should aspire to.

posted by K T G on July 26th 2008 at 4:24am
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Interesting! I found David's workshop online early last summer. Having four kids of our own, as well as countless friends here for dinner everyday, we asked David to build a huge farm table for us, too. We asked for semi-dark stain and rubbed, thick black legs, which I paired with black Crate and Barrel chairs and benches. It's my favorite piece in the whole house, and it wouldn't have been possible without David; he's a true gem.

posted by kmcatee on July 26th 2008 at 7:16am
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OMG that is what I have been looking for. Thanks so much for posting -- clearly, a gem.

posted by outonalimb_2008 on July 26th 2008 at 12:03pm
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David is amazing! I found him on craigslist in Boston at the beginning of the year and he made a table for my husband and I when we moved into our new apartment. We love the table so much and were so pleased with his work! Congratulations on a great find, I'm sure you'll be so happy with how it all turns out!

posted by vjkrempus on July 27th 2008 at 12:49pm
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Having just ordered one of David's tables for a client of mine, I can say he has been a pleasure to work with. We specified an unusually large 9'x5' farm table and he could not have been more accommodating! The custom whitewash stain and finish he's done is outstanding!
Thank you David

posted by Luke Mulvey on July 27th 2008 at 6:45pm
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absolutely love the idea of having your alter from your wedding repurposed in your home!

posted by Enamorada on July 28th 2008 at 2:21am
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Looks really lovely, and I love that he is enjoying what he is doing at 60...I am a corporate lawyer and may head the same direction - does he need an apprentice? :)
There's a really nice man in Callicoon, NY who owns and runs "La Shed du Fred" who does similar work for less money. I have seen his things in person and they are amazing too. Can't offer a comparison since I've not seen David's work in the flesh.

posted by greymase on July 29th 2008 at 2:27pm
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Our table is gorgeous!!! Thank God I found David on Google one day as I had been feverishly hunting for someone in the Providence area to make me a table from reclaimed pine. My husband and myself visited his workshop and were so impressed with his workmanship. I brought a drawer from one of my pieces and asked if the table stain could resemble this antique waxed look. I chose the smaller turned legs and watched the progress from pictures that David e-mailed me. The table arrived just as I had hoped it would look. It was definitely a pleasureable experience with a very gracious gentleman. THANK-YOU, David and Good Luck in the future!!

D.M. from Green Hill

posted by dxm777 on August 12th 2008 at 6:22am
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eddivegas, what's your e-mail address? I'd love to contact Scott...

posted by renaughty on October 12th 2008 at 1:34pm
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