How To Commission A Bespoke Dining Table That Is A Piece Of Functional Art
Posted on: 20 March 2017
If you're in need of a new dining table, then you may have scoured all of your local furniture retailers looking for the perfect choice. Like many Australians who value craftsmanship and quality over cheap, mass-produced furniture, you may have found this search to be fruitless and infuriating.
If you'd like a dining room table that is unique and hand crafted and looks beautiful, then it's worth considering having a bespoke piece made for you. Here are the steps you need to take to commission a one-off piece that will take pride of place in your home.
Find a residential carpenter
The first step is finding a carpenter who has the fine woodworking skills to craft you a table that's aesthetically appealing, strong and functional. Although many residential carpenters are probably accustomed to more utilitarian woodworking tasks, many would probably relish the idea of a small scale project.
If you have space, the construction of your new table can be done at your residence. This is preferable to the carpenter completing it elsewhere and then delivering it to you, particularly if it's a large, heavy, and cumbersome table.
Decide on a style
Although all tables fit the basic format of a table top with legs, there are many ways to play with this format to achieve different looks. You might like a rustic style with rough-hewn edges and chunky legs, or you may prefer a more refined look with a highly finished surface and elegant legs.
When choosing a style, make sure you also consider what sort of joinery you'd like. For a rustic style, antique bolts that form part of the character may be perfect. For a more delicate piece, you might like to use fine dove-tail joints and wood glue, leaving out nails and screws altogether.
Choose your timber
The type of timber you decide to use depends largely on the style of table you want. Old fence posts, reclaimed timber from piers and jetties, and even the humble brick pallet are all perfect for a rustic style. For a more genteel table, you may prefer to use a highly decorative wood such as walnut, oak, or cherry wood.
For many people, a table is just another piece of household furniture. If you prefer to have a home filled with meaningful items, then a bespoke table is perfect for you. Not only will you have a totally unique piece of functional art, you'll also be creating a family heirloom that will be passed down through the coming generations.
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