I’m going to build an entry table and would love to hear your thoughts.
I’m going to use red oak from a tree which used to stand on my property. The material contributes to my design selection.
First design is inspired by some Mike Pekovich tables. It leans towards arts & crafts style, which I think would be appropriate for red oak.
Second design is a variation of a Hank Gilpin table. I saw pictures on his website of ones he made in maple and another in mahogany. Beautiful, modern design with a lot of fantastic details.
As design and wood selection need to match, I’d appreciate thoughts from the FWW crowd on which of these two designs are your preference for red oak?
Replies
For whatever reason, I always associate red oak with modern. Maybe it's because my dad used a lot of red oak and built some modern designs.
I would probably go with the table on the right. The strong grain lines of red oak will give you some interesting options, more interesting options, in my opinion, with the more modern design compared to the classic design.
I'd go with first design as it's more versatile and useful anywhere else in the house. Drawer space is always needed and if you have enough, consider quarter sawing the red oak.
There is no right answer. This has got to be your choice along with others who will be living with it.
I like the first one very much - but maybe with some VERY subtle curves in the legs and rails - especially in red oak, but, as already mentioned, the most important thing is that it reflects your own ideas. I agree that quarter sawing would be worth the effort if you have enough timber.
How many of us have spent long hours making a piece to the best of our ability and then been disappointed with the design of the finished piece? Take your time with good 3D images (Sketchup) from all angles and even a maquette, if time allows. I'm just finishing a similar piece of different proportions because it's designed as a bedroom table. See attached.
Do you have any furniture in your house that you'd like the entry table to match or compliment? Is there a design feature that you could add to make either of them unique to you?
Thanks for the feedback.
True comment on quartersawn stock for the legs
Either design will fit with my already ecclectic collection of furniture in the room
Agree with the comments on the flexibility that the drawers offer, and that subtle curves will help the design of the first one. I tried tapering the legs. Would love to hear other ideas, because I can’t quite picture it…
Both designs would be great. I’m just thinking of matching the wood material with the design to make it a home run.
Here's a couple of variations on the first design, with curves added to the legs. Also including a picture of my inspiration from a Stickley table.
Does it work better than the other design without drawers, when made out of oak?
I recently made Peckovich's arts and crafts entry table from white oak. I had to make one part from red oak, as white oak supply was very limited for awhile around here. I bring this up in case you were thinking of fuming the piece. Red oak doesn't really fume. I was able to stain to match well enough, but if you were hoping to get to chocolate brown, you'll have to stain the whole thing.
Really like the first option from post no. 7 (stretcher, no bottom shelf). The tapers and curves lighten up the design greatly. Top appears to float while retaining the drawers. Admire your talents in sketch up too!
Thanks for the feedback. I started working on it this weekend. The wood is sourced from a tree I fell on my property years ago, and I've had to sort through a lot of checks, odd figure, and discoloration to select suitable material. Working on the version with the lower shelf, and will have to stain it to get uniform coloring. I thought about bleaching it to look like white oak, but I don't think that'll work on this piece because of the variation in color in the pieces. Would love to try it though on a future project.