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Has anyone heard of, or seen the work of, Antique Tables Made Daily? What could you tell me about their craftsmanship?
http://www.antiquetables.com/about-us/
Some of their tables, especially the Irish Immigrant dining table, strike my husband's fancy. Their pricing seems very reasonable too, so I am tempted.
http://www.antiquetables.com/tables/irish-immigrant/
http://www.antiquetables.com/prices/
I'd really appreciate your input. Thank you!
I ride by their location on RT 211 in Sperryville VA at the foot of Skyline Drive many times on our Sunday motorcycle rides, but I'm having WAY too much fun to stop and look at...... furniture!....on my day off.
If you want solid, sturdy furniture their products are that. However their designs are clunky and they miss proportioning themes in their tables. It's like so many other small shop woodworkers, they build them right (mostly) but never studied the ART of fine woodworking. Bet they never went to the first museum showing period pieces or picked up the first book on it, either. Now, that's not necessarily a deal-killer. If you like the form I think you'll be pleased with the construction and build levels. Likewise their finishes, which are standard spray gun lacquers vs the more evolved aniline / shellac finishes. And whomever they get their tiger maple from - well - they need to change suppliers and learn how to finish it properly.
If you want to see well-made tables that have correct forms to them, better quality woods and finishes, look at some of these:
http://jltreharn.com/c/6/american-ma...-catalog-home/
http://www.drdimes.com/catalog/colle...dining-tables/
http://www.warrenchairworks.com/wind...tional_tables/
Thank you Duane.
I do want something that can hold its value over time. I guess that rules out tables that don't have a great finish and/or proportion.
I looked at the links you provided. The hexagon table by D.R. Dimes looks amazing. Too bad it's too large for our new space (it's only 9'9" wide x 21' long; an alternative room is also only 11' x 12'). We will probably have to go with a narrow rectangular table.
D.R. Dimes Hexagon 60" Round Table
I have a question about the finish. I assume that the aniline / shellac finishes on the table top will wear out over time, and the table top will need to be re-finished at some point. How does one go about doing that? Does applying aniline / shellac finishes require quite some skill and experience?
Thank you!
Well, a kitchen table really doesn't have much value to it because there's not much collectibility for tables like that (unlike clocks, chests, etc). However the better pieces are more pleasing to look at as you use them and that counts for something (think of a fine woman's purse - it doesn't have much value 'used' but its nice to own while you use it).
Aniline / shellac will perform as well as any lacquer finish with two caveats: 1) It will fade in direct sunlight on maple or tiger maple woods. However in cherry woods, it 'ruby's up' and get a wonderful dark/reddish hue over time, 2) its not waterproof. However it imparts a depth of color and brilliance in the natural wood that no lacquer finish can match. All table tops using this finish will have either a light lacquer or polyurethane topcoat on them. Legs and bases may or may not.
My kitchen table is currently 28 years old and on its original shellac/aniline finish (on tiger maple)
Duane, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. It's very helpful.
We will ask you for some quotes in a couple weeks (after we move).