CUSTOM DINING TABLE – BUBINGA & TUBE METAL – BC
Background
This client resides in the GTA and discovered us through our door hanger advertisements. They contacted with a request for a custom dining table. The interesting complication they presented was the table needed to be completed here in Ontario but was going to reside at their ski chalet in British Columbia. They wanted a table with two extension pieces for use when required, something unique and different but functional for family and friends use.
Inspiration –
‘The story of how Aether ended up with this lumber.’
While at one of our lumber mill vendors we discovered this lumber called Bubinga and immediately fell in love with it. To cut the story short, it was harvested in large pieces in Africa, shipped via container to Germany where is was dried then cut into slabs. Several slabs were shipped to our lumber supplier where we ended up with several pieces. The story of this wood, from harvesting to delivery, is documented and took ~15 years.’
‘We saw the lumber at Aether and the natural grain patterns were spectacular and mimic water flowing around obstacles in a river, immediately we knew we wanted it made into a dining table for us’. Not only is the table design unique but the grain of the wood is just amazing and awe inspiring. We love it!‘
Our Materials
Top – made from Bubinga with the most beautiful grain pattern we have seen in a long time. Finished dimensions are 2” thick, 7’ long (without extensions) and 46” wide. The client wanted the ability add two extensions to either end making it 11’ for large family gatherings.
Legs – made from 4” tube metal, we used pieces of 2” L channel to act as the attachment point between the legs and top. There is no visible skirt under this table rather just the four legs.
Our Process
Although we used significant dimension tube metal for legs they are minimized in terms of design so the grain of the top is the main feature of the table. The dimensions of the legs compared to the thickness of the top match and give the appearance of a sturdy strong table.
We spent vast amounts of time on sanding the top and finishing it to show off the grain without masking or hiding it in any way. The clients expressed concern about having this beautiful table but fear of using it on a regular basis. They were afraid of denting or scarring it in some way from daily use. We were able to assuage their concern by employing the use of a specific hardwood floor finish to give the top bullet proof protection against denting and scarring.
The table was completed in Ontario at our shop, packaged up and shipped to BC where it is used for family gatherings and nightly dinners.
