My mother always insisted that we have dinner together every night. It was the one time a day we could all be together. Perhaps it was this rule that nurtured my love for a formal dining space and table.
I have to admit, my adoration for farmhouse style tables has grown exceedingly with the trend of reclaimed wood and repurposing materials. There is something so luscious but subtle about a huge raw wooden table, or an immaculately polished surface that exposes all the grain and veins of the tree.
Not only are these tables accessible in flea markets, vintage stores and garden shops, but with a good saw and some sanding you can build one yourself. I’ve come across some that are painted in various colors, others that have been lacquered, and some that have been beaten up for the sake of wear and tear (which adds a nice recycled vintage appeal). I’ve seen them polished down and trimmed with legs made of cast iron for an industrial style look (which is my personal favorite).
I’m going to let you in on a secret: there is an incredible artist Dante McCarthy in Los Angeles who creates these tables right out of her studio at Cloud Noir on 3rd Street. She can paint the base of the table a separate color. She even sells various sizes of different styles. Another incredible artisan is Riley Rea, who has been selling his reclaimed wooden tables (garnished with iron and metal legs and hardware) from his showroom on La Brea, Croft House. Both designers have several different styles and even do custom designs.
Most recently I stumbled into this incredible garden scene at Rolling Greens on Beverly. Not only is this an incredible mix of country and industrial, but also the mix of that table with the metal chairs is pretty phenomenal.
The nice part about these tables is that they truly are versatile. Not only can you paint them various colors, build them in various styles but you can also find just as much use for them inside as you can outdoors. What you don’t have room? Well problem solved, the durability of the wood will survive a harsh rainstorm, and you can even double ensure this with a coat of wood finish to seal it for safety.