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NY Good Questions: Reasonably Priced Wooden Dining Table?

1.22table.jpgHello AT,

I've been searching for a dining table for a few months now.

I was waiting for Room & Board to release their new ones in Jan/08, which they did.

I'm really looking for walnut, and they're one of few places that have a lot of walnut options for tables on the modern side, but unfortunetaly their sizes are weird, they don't have a standard 60x35x30...

 
 
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)

1.22table2.jpg

So, I'm considering a similar table by Calligaris and BoConcept, also a an unfished teak table from ABC. These are all very rectangular and plain.

I was hoping to find something a little more inspired without paying a fortune, but the only thing that would bridge modern with slightly more classical would be this table, which in the right size would be the perfect table for me.

Of course, I can't even come close to affording it.

I've tried to get quotes on having one made as it's a very simple design, but have either received no response (most cases), or quoted a price just below the original (it would appear some customs makers know the table and are simply capitalizing on its price).

If the Silhouette table from Brocade Home came in walnut, I might just go that way, but I'd really prefer solid walnut, walnut veneer, or even another similar hardwood stained in walnut.

The "other" (from Smith Interiors) photo I'm attaching is another designer that should be simple enough, but I guess the wood would cost a lot.

1) What are good options for reasonably priced custom wood furniture (should I look in VT instead in the city?)?

2) Are there any other tables out there similar to what I want?

Thanks! Dan

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tables - dining & occasional, Good Questions

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Comments (13)

Have you been checking out Craigslist? I am not in the market for a table but I have seen many lovely simple wood tables on CL.

If you are going custom you may pay close to or more than what a mass produced table costs. Remember that going custom means you are getting a one of a kind piece made to your specifications. That being said you can keep going the custom route- but you need to be persistent. Also make sure if you are giving people a picture make sure there are no identifying features to let them know you are asking for an R&B knockoff (that can up the price- I know from experience). Also you might tell the woodworker what your price range is and then they can steer you to other woods and building techniques that fall within you price range.

Over the summer I was looking into custom woodwork for a modular bookshelf and got some reasonable rates. If I can find the contact info I will post it. Good luck

posted by Trumystique on January 22nd 2008 at 8:41am
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Just keep looking.

The right combination of size, material and cost is your challenge.

DWR has a beautiful solid teak table which I think is a great value but it's quite large.

Lignet Roset has a beautiful walnut table that you can have built in virtually any size but it's really expensive and will take like 3 months to get.

A furniture maker will probably have to spend more on raw material than a typical manufacturer so their product may turn out to be more expensive than the store-bought.

Walnut is expensive, solid or veneer. Go for the solid, it will age nicely and look like a real investment piece.

posted by art on January 22nd 2008 at 8:41am
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I think Room and Board will customize many of its tables to your size needs. Worth a call to them to find out --

posted by kristine on January 22nd 2008 at 9:06am
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This is simple with a little twist and comes in walnut:
http://www.2modern.com/modern-furniture/Dining/Blu-Dot-Nick-Table
And pricier but not in walnut although similar to that Smith Interior table you like.
http://www.2modern.com/modern-furniture/Dining/Brave-Space-Hollow-Dining-Table

posted by juan in a million on January 22nd 2008 at 9:43am
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http://www.lorimerantiques.com

Custom tables: I don't think they do walnut, necessarily, but some very attractive and affordable options...They made a table for a friend and gave it a very modern look, with Scandinavian-style, tapered legs. It was a great balance of modern and rustic and well under $1000.

posted by gowanus on January 22nd 2008 at 9:52am
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looked on the brocade home website, can't find the table in the picture anywhere.

posted by foodiegirl on January 22nd 2008 at 10:26am
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Atlantico makes a solid walnut table, although the walnut option adds a considerable amount to the cost

http://www.atlantico-usa.com/index.php?section=product_detail_oak&id=004

You also might want to try Shelter in Los Angeles. I know they work in walnut veneer and have made some custom pieces for me that have been outstanding and well priced. I couldn't find a website for them, but I am sure they could send you pictures of their work. They are very well known in the LA area. (323) 937-3222

posted by RichardinLA on January 22nd 2008 at 2:02pm
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The reason you can not find this table on the brocade home website is because it is not designed by them. The original designer of this table and the one shown in the image labeled brocade home is designed and manufactured by hivemindesign inc.
This table is hand made out of solid walnut in the US, not out of rubberwood in china.
Taking an image or drawing a sketch of a piece of furniture designed and manufactured by any company large or small and asking someone else to make something just like it is called stealing. Come up with your own ideas and have them made, or find the person who makes the piece and buy it from them.

posted by 1234this on January 23rd 2008 at 4:57am
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NY Craigslist often has great tables. Checkout today's post:
great stuff second or new homeowner pott barn ecelctic antiques great

Reply to: sale-548731487@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-01-23, 9:59AM EST


great stuff . I am moving and selling wonderful personal furniture and furniture from a staging business .....antique pine farm table

posted by Rachel Abrams on January 23rd 2008 at 5:32am
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Yes, Room & Board will make custom sizes for tables, at least table tops. I had a 30x60 walnut top made last year, and if memory serves, it was about $400. You can choose the thickness as well (from a few options). It is solid walnut strips, not one solid piece. I think it looks great. I had stainless steel legs made at a kitchen place on the Bowery, but I'm pretty sure R&B does custom size bases too.

posted by greer on January 23rd 2008 at 12:32pm
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I forgot to mention, the walnut strips are held together by a couple of solid pieces of wood underneath the table. It will fit into a Parson's-type base, but you would not be able to lay it flat on another solid surface. Just FYI

posted by greer on January 23rd 2008 at 12:34pm
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Hi,

I make walnut tables, but don't worry this isn't a plug for me.

We sell exclusively in the UK but have a lot of furniture made in Ohio by an Amish shop who are quite fabulous. Of course in the US 'Amish' tends to mean home and perhaps a little dowdy, which is in fact quite the contrary. We are working together at getting a $ 50,000 bedroom set in to Harrods so you get my point.

When you play with Walnut, you have to buy the best, there is no other way. I know, I've tried.

Give them a try - it's not easy getting hold of them because they don't answer the phone! You can leave a message and they will call you back. Ask to speak to Andrew, and tell him Jamie from England sent you. You will never deal with more trsutworthy or delightful people. The company name is Homestead Furniture of Mount Hope, Holmes county, Ohio.

It won't be cheap - it will be in the region of 2500 to 3500 USD, but it will be the best value walnut table you'll ever buy.

If it doesn't work out, call me, 011 44 1485 600 555 and I'll put you right,

Jamie

posted by Norfolk Oak on January 28th 2008 at 1:42pm
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I had my dining table custom made from American Barn Company in Lakeview ( http://americanbarncompany.com ). You might not think their aesthetic would fit your place based on their website, but I had a very minimalist table made that fits perfectly in my place, which has a kind of modern industrial look. They also use recycled wood, which aside from saving trees I think has more character. My table was around $1,200 (36x60). Friends of mine loved it so much that they went there and asked them to remake our table for them. The guy I talked to at their storefront was very nice and very patient talking through the design details and what I wanted my table to look like.

Just found my table in their gallery: http://www.americanbarncompany.com/images/projectgallerypic_1rusticpinetable.jpg

posted by itakethetrain on December 26th 2008 at 12:16pm
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