The Harvard Museum Side Table

Shaker Harvard Table.jpg If you like to rearrange the furniture every now and then, consider this great little table from Shaker Workshops. The Harvard Table could do time bedside, sofa-side, as a console, or even (because it's stabilized by trestle feet instead of a stretcher) as a small desk. We like the Harvard Table not only for its versatility, but for its simplicity.

Crafted from solid cherry, it's sturdy without sitting heavy. And its slender, elegant proportions lend themselves to the verticality of Victorian interiors.

The Harvard table is a bargain too, if you like to DIY. Finished it's $480 and as a kit only $240.

Available here.

Comments (4)

Pat, appreciate your feedback. I have long been tempted to buy a few pieces from Shaker Workshops. Now I will proceed with more caution. Thanks!

posted by Deepa on 2006-04-24 07:55:47

Don't recommend this stuff myself. I have an entire dining set from Shaker Workshops, purchased in the mid-1990's. The furniture is way too lightweight (tips too easily, especially the chairs), the finish on the tables does not hold up at all to even light scratches, and it dents easily. The finish (this was bought pre-finished) also looks plastic-y. Much of their stuff can be purchased (or at least this used to be true) unfinished, and might look better with an oi-rubbed and waxed finsish. While that would make it easier to repair scratches, it would not make the furiture any more durable.

More on quality...the support pieces on the underside of a sideboard cracked from regular use (built too weak). The rabbited brace pieces accross the ends of the table have warped, or shrunk, to such an extent that they are no longer flush with the table planks. Some of the furniture was delivered damaged, and it was not easy to rectify that (the company was difficult).

They have nice designs, but the quality isn't there. Try Thomas Moser furniture. Expensive, but far superior.

posted by Pat on 2006-04-21 14:11:49

I've found that caution is a good idea when buying from Shaker Workshops -- and also, (unlike Pat's experience) I've found very good customer service. The first item I got was a coat stand kit. One leg and one peg were defective. I called them and they sent repacements right away. It would have been better if I gotten the right pieces in the first place, but it all turned out okay.

I also boought a dining table, and the base was broken in shipping. Again, they took care of it with little inconvenience to me... but it should have been packed better to start with.

I think SW quality is very good for the price. I also own two pieces from Thomas Moser, and these are EXTREMELY well made and nicely finished. I wouldn't compare the two companies, even though they both offer Shaker styles. They're just not in the same ballpark.

posted by Claudia B. on 2006-04-24 11:16:22

True, SW and Thomas Moser are at opposite ends of the price (and quality) spectrum. But I was using that as an extreme comparison. I think it makes sense to save up for what you really want -- and will keep for a long time -- rather that getting something that's almost there (voice of experience talking). I still have that danged SW set, which I use as office funiture! It cost enough that I'm hesitant to get rid of it, but it doesn't measure up to my current requirements for quality and beauty. So it's in semi-exile.

An interesting designer that's somewhere in the middle in price is John Kelly. His stuff is a mixture of Shaker and Japanese elements (and a touch of Mission). It can be hard to find stores that sell it, though. Used to be one in SF, but no more as far as I know. Anyone out there know where to find it?

posted by Pat on 2006-04-24 14:05:38