483 Farmhouse extension dining table with self storing leaves and authentic antique finish

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

Here is an unusual piece built with pullout breadboards, leaves and a cutting board.  It is a newly built farmhouse extension table (opens with leaves).

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

Showing the four leaves in place, and one of the two matching benches below it.  Unfortunately, this got cropped a little short, but you get the idea.

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

This table was made as a bespoke project for a Scottsdale family who has a nice eat-in kitchen.   They desired a very heavily distressed finish with lots of dings, marks, stains, and rub-throughs.

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

The finish is what we call a "living finish".  This is a term which we thought we invented, but we discovered it is used in the metal industry, for instance to describe faucets which are designed to age naturally and get a weathered patina.  Our living finish means the color goes deep into the wood and it is anchored in with many coats of penetrating drying oils.  The combination of this technique, and the subtle discolorations and distressing mean that the finish will wear well over time and look great in areas of high use.  We have lived with finishes of this sort for many years in our own home.

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

Here you can see the "breadboard end".

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

At one end of this little table is a flip down drawer, underneath the breadboard.  You can see that the breadboard is attached to two leaf arms.

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

This breadboard will pull out as shown in the following photos.

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

Breadboard is pulled out to accept a leaf.

You can see that there are four leaves stored within this piece.   One caveat:  not all width to length dimension combinations will support this method of self-storage.  It is tricky and time consuming to build, and because a lot of the end apron gets cut away, there is hidden steel involved.  Therefore, the self storing leaf drawer method is one of the more expensive ways to do an extension table.

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

Two leaves, ready to be fitted.  The finish on the leaves was deliberately done a little differently, as we figured leaves would have lighter distressing and a slightly different color, if the table was really a couple hundred years old.

483  Farmhouse extension table with self storing leaves

Two leaves, in place.