Replies

1. 
   James R. | Jun 22, 2010 02:17pm | #1

   Table legs

   eireannach:

   Since the table top will be heavy in appearance I would make the legs heavy in appearance.  Two legs that are wider and thick would look better than four smaller legs.  You could probably work out a design that would go well with your top.  Mortises and tenons for the legs maybe.  You might even have through tenons to add something to the top.

   Check out some of George Nakashima's work.  He made many live edge tables with varied bases.

   Good luck,

   Jim

   My memory's good, it's just short.

1. 
   Eireannach | Jun 22, 2010 03:39pm | #2

   Thanks

   I looked at Nakashima's work & it is very similar to what I had roughly imagined - thanks for the suggestion.  I had never seen his work before, but it is just what I needed to get the creative juices flowing.  I think I have a cool idea for the base now.  I am thinking of a curved solid slab that has a hole from a branch for one end, with a leg extending horizontally from the center of the base.  The top will seem to float asymmetrically on the base.  I'm not sure if I described that well, but it's a concept-in-process.  Maybe I can use through-tenons into the leg that are butterfly shaped (in maple?). 

2. 
   PSeverin | Jun 22, 2010 06:01pm | #4

   Unity or contrast?

   You have the choice of trying to match the weight and heft of top as suggested, or displaying the top as object floating on top of or suspended between the legs.   Think of the second as displaying a solitaire diamond in the prongs of engagement ring.  

   I think complementing the heft and ragged life edge is far harder to bring off than building a lighter, perhaps contrasting display stand for the slab.  

   Peter

2. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 22, 2010 05:03pm | #3

   lots of options

   There are probably many ways you could go with this. Equally-heavy slab (grave-marker style) , perhaps with a trestle. Or, lighter, more traditional legs of a light-colored wood that let the slab be the attention-getter. If it's going to stay in one position, you could even do modernistic "hidden" shelf brackets (well) afixed to the wall, and designed such that the slab appears to float in the air.

   I'd suggest drawing a few alternatives and let your wife pick what she feels will go best with the rest of the decor.

3. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 23, 2010 09:48am | #5

   Maybe the following book will give you some ideas?

   http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=22550&source=googleps&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google

   This book shows 500 tables of all types. Find the book on the net.. Some selles, on the net, have sample pages you can view. Not sure if available for the book in the link.

   I only mention this book because it has more ideas than only one person could come up with. Not for a so called 'proper leg style' for a table top. I'd say, it only matters on what your wife (and you?) like.

   I have seen many beautiful furniture pieces that I loved of strange styles. Others would think I'm crazy. I once saw a Greene & Greene table top with bricks set in morter for legs. I 'think' I saw that table at the Gamble House in Pasadena, California. Not sure.. It was a very long time ago.

   Anything goes if you and yours like it. Period!

   I for one, would wonder how long, a 'live edge' would last on any work that is 'used in a home' and does not just sit someplace protected from little children and pets.. Maybe even protected from one of your favorite friends that you invite over often?

   Design (Art) is for others than me (Or is that I?) . I do all of my work based on Ideas I find or on instructions given. I never copy others work 'to the letter', I do use their ideas along with what 'I' like.

   I'm sure if you spend a bit of time doing a Image search on the net for tables.. Something will 'click' with your eyes and brain. Be sure to ask first if she likes it also! Maybe have her do the image searches for 'her' ideas of what she wants. That time may give you a month or two more for that wood to have more air seasoning to it's new environment?