Down to the Inch: Sizing Your Custom Table

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of custom furniture is the ability to manipulate the size of your piece to perfectly fit the space. Here at Rustic Elements, we are big on having every customer we come in contact with, take advantage of the fact that our tables are built down to the inch. Recently, one of our customers REALLY took advantage of this and will soon be receiving their 13-foot, solid hickory custom table. Not only that, but the table will be making a long drive from our shop here in Joliet, Illinois to the beautiful state of Washington. This isn’t the first time we crafted a larger-than-life custom table, and it certainly won’t be the last. As long as there are growing families, restaurants popping up, or businesses that need to update their conference rooms, we will be there to help furnish their space. Read on as we dive more into this extravagant table and to learn more about what exactly is needed if you are in the market for an extra large (or extra small) one-of-a-kind, Rustic Elements table.

Built from solid hickory wood, we made sure every aspect of the constructed Anchor pedestal table was sized up to match the staggeringly-large top. Speaking of sizing up, many forces outside of our control are major factors when it comes to obtaining hardwood for tables. As wood is a natural element, its overall growth is dependent on environmental aspects, with one large influence being where it is planted. A growing tree in a residential backyard will have stark differences in comparison to a tree in a forest, as the latter has to rise amongst other trees, all trying to reach their full potential, fueled mainly by the sun and water. Because of this, ten to twelve feet boards of woods such as oak, ash and hickory are almost always readily available, whereas thirteen feet and larger tend to become harder to obtain. Another driving force in our constant search for oversized boards is the fact that it is nearly impossible to come across one that is impeccable. We have to take in to account that six inches to one foot of defected ends will be necessary to cut off. The hunt for hardwood that is good enough to become a Rustic Elements Furniture table is never ending.

Once we got our hands on the hickory we knew was going to be used to craft this specific thirteen-footer, we had to prepare for the tip-the-scales weight of each designated part. To put into numbers just how much the dining table weighs, we broke it down into three parts: the top is about 490 pounds, each pedestal is about 116 pounds and the cross brace is about 67 pounds. Close to 800 pounds total, there is no doubt in our minds that our customer’s table will be a conversation piece (and then some) for their guests. Just for perspective, a typical six-foot, solid hickory table’s top has about a weight of 200 pounds. Whatever size it may be, the details of custom tables always fall into the hands of our clients. Once we solidified the size and species of the elongated table, we worked with the soon-to-be-owner of it to determine what the style would be. The distress level was kept to a medium and grooves were added to the top. Finishing it off with our rich and warm American Walnut stain, the outcome was a happy medium of formal and informal.

Got the space to make your own thirteen-foot table work or maybe need something smaller such as a one-of-a-kind coffee table? Let’s collaborate! The necessary steps we take when working together to build your custom table are highlighted in our ‘Build Table Options’ section on the website. If you are looking for some table inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, try browsing our ‘Refined Pedestals’ where some of our most Pinterest-worthy creations lie. Keep an eye out for our next blog—you never know, it may be your own custom table we are showcasing!

More From Our Blog