Dining
tables are humble home furnishings.
We
eat at them day after day, fancy them up on the holidays, and pound
on them when we need a workspace. A well-made farm table requires
little maintenance and in return gives generations of solid service.
We've hand-crafted many types of tables. What follows are basic
points to consider in your table design.
A
brief introduction to Vermont Farm Tables.
All
Vermont Farm Tables are made from solid wood. No veneers,
laminations, glued up table parts, particle board, plywood - NO WAY,
NOT HERE! This is "real" furniture at its best and it shows. We
build tables that last a lifetime and we build them out of materials
you can feel good about.
We
do not support the manufacturing and use of volatile chemicals used
in so much furniture on the market today. Many manufacturers claim
their finishes are "non-toxic when dry." Really? What happens during
the manufacturing process, where do the by products go, how does the
product affect individuals who apply it before it dries, etc? You
get the point... we use products that are "good" and not simply
"less bad." Sure, this adds a small bit to our price - if making
responsible decisions has a price. We consider any alternative
unacceptable.
Rest
assured that your table will be built with reclaimed vintage wood,
new FSC certified
wood, and non-toxic, no VOC paints and finishes.
Additionally,
we build almost any table design you can imagine. Whether it
has modern or traditional flair.
Did you see a top or base on the web site you like? We can
reconfigure any of our products to meet your exact specifications.
Get the perfect size, wood type, and design - just ask us for
details!
Ready for your dream table? Email us your design
ideas.
How
much room to allow for each person.
The
width matters.
- 30"
wide tables can be really intimate, or can work in tight quarters
such as a small kitchen. A table of this width unfortunately
leaves little room between diners for food, dishes or décor.
- 36"
and 40" wide tables give you about 12" in the middle of the table
for dishes and décor. A perfect range for most dining table
needs.
- 42"
wide tables give ample room in the middle for entertaining or
everyday décor.
- 44"
wide tables work well for extra large rooms.
- >
than 44" wide tables begin to be almost too wide, making
conversation and food passing more difficult.
Consider
your room dimensions.
- 32"
minimum back from the edge of the table allows people seated to be
able to get in and out from their seats without feeling cramped.
- 36"
is a better space in which to push a chair back from the table.
(Recommended)
- 44"
is the standard room for a relaxation pose. When you see a guest
push a chair back from the table's edge, cross their legs, and
clasp their hands behind their heads, get out your tape measure. You'lll find they've taken up a minimum of 44" back from the
table.
- 54"
is the standard for a Wheelchair's ease of circulation about the
room.
Our
table dimensions and details.
- Height.
Dining tables are a very standard 30" in height. This is a
dimension that is in the middle of two undesirable extremes.
Shorter tables are hard to get one's legs under. And higher tables
put one's plate uncomfortably high. We can build any
height you require.
- Length.
As mentioned above, a comfortable distance between place settings
is 30".
- Legs.
Our two most popular leg designs are the Hepplewhite and the XL Farmhouse. At Vermont Farm Table, we offer an
unlimited amount of base designs. Choose from
our recommended designs or create your own vision
and we will build it for you! Typical leg dimensions are as
follows - Standard 2-3/4" wide top, Large 3-1/2" wide top, or the
massive Extra Large 4-1/2" wide top.
- Aprons.
The apron is the board that connects the table legs to form the
base. These are generally about ¾" thick and 4" wide. This again
has become standardized. Thinner or narrower aprons fail to give
the required support; wider aprons fail to give the clearance for
knees and thighs. On extremely large tables we adjust the apron
size as need to support the table frame.
- Joinery.
Mortise and tenon joinery is the standard for connecting aprons
and legs. It's the traditional method and still the best. All
Vermont Farm Tables are constructed in a square-pegged, mortise
and tenon joinery.
Tabletop
tips.
- Thickness.
Top thickness is, to a large extent, dictated by personal
preference. Most tables look good with a top thickness dimension
in the ¾" to 1" range. This actual dimension is dictated by the
finished thickness of our reclaimed lumber. For a more informal
table with a country feel, especially with larger legs we
recommend you go with a thickness up to 1 ¾". Creating a sweet
balance between the base and top is what we do best. Simply decide
on your leg style and overall table size and we'll help you make
the top decision.
- Overhang.
Overhang is how much the top projects out over the base. 1-4"
along the side is a safe dimension. If you go more, the aprons
will be overshadowed. On the ends of the table, you want either an
identical measurement as the side or proportionally more for
visual balance. Adding more overhang is especially true when
designing a Hepplewhite, Tavern or William & Mary table. In fact we recommend
at least 10-14" of overhang on these tables.
Wood
selection.
- Lesson
#1. Don't over think it! All Vermont Farm Tables are
gorgeous. Choose a wood to match your decor or personal style and
call us if in doubt.
- Base.
Choosing the base wood can be the most confusing part of the
process. It shouldn't be!
- Pine
- If you intend to go with a painted base.
- Pine,
Alder, Maple, Oak - If you prefer the lighter, more modern look of
wood or want to stain the base brown.
- Cherry,
Mahogany - For those who enjoy the rich grain and deep colors wood
can imbue.
- Walnut,
Purple Heart - For those who truly enjoy rich, dark wood, only
these will do the job.
More woods available - sample images only
- Top.
At Vermont Farm Table we take great care in selecting only the
best tabletops around. Our reclaimed Pine tops are the best you
will find. Whether you prefer a smoother finish or rougher more
rustic finish, we will hand select and build only the best top for
your table. All of our Pine tops are reclaimed from structures
built hundreds of years ago. This gives the table a character and
appeal that no amount of "mock" distressing can match. In
addition, our beautiful, "non-reclaimed" tops such as Cherry,
Mahogany, and Walnut are sourced sustainably through FSC Certified
suppliers.
- View our in stock tops.
Additional
options.
- Drawers.
Our dovetail-constructed drawers are the best.
These puppies are built to last. Available in 18", 24", and 36"
widths. Tables over 6' in length can accommodate two 18" wide
drawers. You choose where they go - on the side, one on each end,
or on opposite sides - its your call.
- Company
boards. Our company boards are extension that are added to
the table "when company arrives." Company boards are 12" wide and
add an additional 24" or 2-4 place settings to the table. Perfect
when occasion deems a larger table and year round use is better
accommodated with a smaller table.
Know
your finish.
You
will use your table everyday. You will eat off of your table. A
dining table will receive plenty of abuse over its lifetime. We
believe a table should be used and abused. We also believe the table
should be built from environmentally friendly materials that won't
harm you, your family or the earth. That's why we exclusively use
non-toxic, no VOC paints and finishes to seal all of our tables. Our
oils allow for the natural aging of the wood, which means that the
table may slightly shift colors over time. Typically the table
becomes "richer." All Vermont Farm Table finishes are non-toxic. The
natural sheen of our finish is satin to semi-gloss. This is not your
grandmother's baby-grand piano. Instead our finish is natural,
compliments the historic nature of the wood and lives in harmony
with the environment.
All
Vermont Farm Tables benefit from periodic conditioning of the
surface. It is suggested you refinish the table every 3-5 years with
a natural oil to maintain and improve the look of your table. It's
simple. It only takes a few minutes. Apply the wood conditioner just
as you would apply any surface cleaner to the table. Allow to dry 24
hours and you're good to go. Periodic conditioning of the table will
strength the surface coat, maintaining the water repellent
qualities. Your table will only get better with time!
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