741 French Country Extension Dining Table With Two Leaves

741 French country extension dining table

We designed and built this extendable dining table for a local lady who LIVES to host dinner parties, and who, in fact, had her small but very charming cottage remodeled and a wall removed just for the purpose of holding such parties.  It was a 20-year, long term dream to have a custom table built for the purpose.  She participated in the design, and it was truly a pleasure to build this piece for her and her husband, to host their food and wine-loving friends.  It seats 8 closed, and it opens to 11 feet 8 inches long with two leaves.

741 French country extension dining table

For flexibility, either one or both leaves can be used.  Here's how it looks with one.

741 French country extension dining table

And here it is closed, and at 94 in long and 36 inches wide, it fits in their rather narrow dining room and will sit 8 people.

741 French country extension dining table

This 3/4 view, or isometric view, is the only photo which shows the thickness of the apron.  It's nearly 2 inches thick and it does show, and it makes a difference.  

741 French country extension dining table

The center opens here, at this joint.  All these details around the apron are carved by hand.

741 French country extension dining table

The leaves are fitted in this manner, and an attached breadboard borders each section of straights.  I love this look, and I think it gives the table a nice, clean, buckled-down look.  It reminds me of good leather work.  Our clients own a collection of hand blown tall stemware for serving wine, and they desired a perfectly flat table that did not have our usual slightly-uneven surface and slightly knobby pegs, which I thought was essential for an aged look.  So on this one, we took care that the leaves fit flat and most importantly will remain so throughout the table's lifetime.

741 French country extension dining table

Here is a close view of the top boards.  When we delivered the piece our clients served us an espresso which we gladly drank (it was about 11:30 at night I think) and I spilled some on the table to baptize it.

741 French country extension dining table

Shown here is the finish sample we used to get this very unusual, cool mushroom aged finish.  At first our client did not see any finish samples in my collection that she liked.  "Too yellow".  But down in the bottom of the box was this random piece of old carving that looks as if its finish is almost completely worn off.  And that is how this terrific color was born, and it looks wonderful in that room and it shimmers under incandescent night lighting.  It is of course a living finish, and so it will be durable and water and wine and food-proof.  But it is also meant to look dry and worn of like the sample.

You can see on this end view that we like to leave some evidence of "hand".   All our work is hand done the old fashioned way - Buck cuts the legs on the bandsaw and then shapes and carves them with hand tools.  This is the only way we know to get the right look.   It leaves us with very subtle variations in the curves, size of beads and shapes of each volute.  

This table is available in many different finish choices, and we will work with you to determine what is the ideal length for you.  In the meantime, please get in touch with me (Suzanne) by email or phone at 503-816-5316.

Link to purchase here

723 French country Farmhouse table, hand carved, reclaimed dining table, harvest table, farm table, French provincial, Portland Oregon, customizable

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

This one is an original design by us, and was built, finished and shipped to a family in Georgia.

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

All of these shapely elements on the base are hand carved.  Solid poplar base is hand shaped with a scalloped apron and hand carved bead; Aprons are gently slanted outward and curved so that the transition into the leg is graceful and fluid.

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

Top is reclaimed Oregon barnwood that has been given a nice medium warm tobacco finish.

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

Here is what this barn wood looked like "before", while under construction in the shop.  The large patch was placed there to eliminate three awkward defects in that board, which was otherwise in  good condition.

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

Here is another view of this barn wood.  The antique texture and color will have to be replicated over the edges which have been shaped with a router, therefore stripping off the rustic surface and getting down to "new" wood.  The top will have to be cleaned, smoothed, hardened and colored without losing the rustic qualities of the original wood.

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

A close view of the resulting top.

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

Here is a close view of the end in the "under construction" phase showing how the apron tilts forward at the smile and joins the leg in a nice smooth swoop.

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

And with many layers of distressed paint.  We started with a light olive, then a heavy bodied dove grey and followed with a Swedish white. 

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

A close view of the end.

723 French country harvest table, reclaimed farmhouse table

Showing contrast of this gentle, warm off white with the pure white background.  This table can be ordered in any size / color combination, with a natural top or a painted one.  We can also do a solid alder natural base and natural top.  The size shown here is 38 x 108 x 30h, and this is a great size and an elegant shape, and here is a link to order.  

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table, farm table with leaves

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

Here's one we designed, built, and finished for a couple in California with a small house and an eating nook.  It is a 56 inch long table which accepts (4) 5-inch wide leaves.  The leaves are placed in the ends here, on top of pull-out arms, and these fit together in tongue-and-groove fashion, as you can see between the breadboards and main top.

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

This is what it looks like without leaves.  56 in long x 38 wide is a strange looking size, but the piece was built for function, and once it was placed in its proper context, I was surprised at how natural it looked.  A perfect solution for someone who likes the simple look of straight tapered legs.

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

The end view, showing a very large side overhang.  This shape is essential for a built-in banquette, especially one built in an L configuration.  It is impossible to get a traditional four legged table (with normal sized overhangs) to work next to a banquette, due to the necessity of sliding the body in and out of a bench seat.  This is why pedestal and trestle forms are typically used in that scenario.  When we scooted the legs inward, we didn't know how it would look.  There's a precedent for this sort of shape in Shaker design, but the aprons are usually quite a lot wider, which we wanted to avoid due to the potential of knee-banging.  In the end, I was surprised at how much I liked this form.

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

A view of the entire top, showing all four leaves in place.  This is solid alder, and we have colored and distressed the piece so that it looks old.  The husband lived in England and knew what authentic tables were supposed to look like.

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

A closer view of one corner of the top, showing texture and color.  The target sample for this piece was a small bit of carving which had been collecting dust in my workshop.  The finish was all worn off and the little piece looked dry and very old.  It is tricky to get a fully coated penetrating finish to read like an old dried up bit of millwork, but we did the best we could.

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

The resulting color became one of my favorite new looks.

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

Showing a 3/4 view here

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

And here it is, placed in its proper context next to the built in bench.  Harry approves and has apparently claimed it as his.  Isn't this a nice spot?  Light and bright and cozy all at the same time.  

714 Farmhouse Extension dining table, banquette table,  farm table with leaves

If your cat would prefer such a table as this, here is a link to pricing for this length / width.  Please get in contact with us for other sizes or designs.  We are happy to talk with you about what works in your home. 

710 Gustavian breakfront cabinet, Swedish dining hutch with drawers, Gustavian sideboard, made to order

We designed and built this large breakfront hutch / sideboard for a Eugene family.  Believe it or not, this is going into an ultra modern home.  It's gorgeous, and is under construction now.  There is a very large fireplace built of native Oregon stone across the room from where this piece will sit, and the stone and this hutch are very similar in color.  

Our piece has 10 drawers and will serve as "command central" in the household.  It's adjacent to a breakfast nook and is close to the main entry.  It's the place where things go in and out of the house, and where mail is handled, lists are made, meals are eaten, etcetera and etcetera.  The finish was meant to look old and worn.

This and the next two pictures show an antique bookcase owned by the clients.  This piece has great patina and presence!  

Here is a companion piece which is a real antique.  A lovely and charming black and red book case.

Ours has a similar carbon-grey color on the interior.  There's red below that.  The back of the cabinet is meant to look rustic, worn-through and a little chalky.

Here's a close view of that finish and texture inside the upper section.  The painted finish was put over somewhat rough boards, and was meant to look old and a little bit chalky.  This also shows a good view of the corner, and one of the old-school hardwood zig zag shelf supports.  Each shelf is adjustable, and each one has two plate grooves.  It was discovered that different sized plates like to sit at different angles to the back.  A plate can sit in the groove, and a serving piece can sit on the shelf in front of it.

These shallow drawers will serve to hold placemats and office-y stuff, like postage and phone chargers and the like.  Gorgeous, heavy iron hardware is from Gerberhinge of southern California.

The larger drawers will hold big heavy items.  Here is one which has been pulled out, to show the hardwood drawer guides on the bottom.  

The piece has a lot of texture.  Applied diamonds, recessed large diamonds on the large drawers, a row of beading on the small drawers, and fluting on the large drawers and bonnet above.  The detailing is carried around to the sides as well.

Bonnet is fluted as well.  It is always a good idea to fasten a piece like this to the wall for safety, and this can be accomplished by removing the bonnet such that the fasteners are hidden.

703 French farmhouse table, hand carved, made to order

This is an original design made by us.  It is of solid alder and has a hand carved bead along the apron and legs.

This was built for a couple in the Lake Sammamish Washington area.  They have a wonderful new house, but this house was built with character!  Like real stone (indoors, used for the walls) and real salvaged beams.  The dining area is long and narrow, and this refectory shaped table looks wonderful with the other furniture, many of which are genuine antiques.

Here is a view of the top.  At 120 x 34 x 30h (inches) it is a true refectory shape, long and narrow, and this shape looks really elegant and authentic for this design.  You can see some knots and color variation in this photo.

And here is a closer view, where you can see some of the deliberate erosion, rub-throughs, fake cracks, pegs, scratches, nicks dings, etcetera, all for the purpose of making it look old.

Another closeup.

All of these beads and graceful volutes are indeed hand carved by my husband Buck.  It is important that our work have evidence of "hand".

  

699 Antique mirror, gilded mantle mirror, trumeau, made to order

699 Antique mirror, gilded mantle mirror, trumeau

Here is an antiqued mirror in a French oak frame that we designed and built.  It has the shape of an old French trumeau mirror, and this one is 51 inches high x 29 wide.

699 Antique mirror, gilded mantle mirror, trumeau

Here's a shot that shows the relative thicknesses of the frame and the crown.  The main part is 1 1/2 inches and the crown is 4 1/4 inches thick.

699 Antique mirror, gilded mantle mirror, trumeau

Closer view of the crown, showing wood texture, mirror splotches and gilding.  This was made from French oak and given some subtle dings / scrapes and discoloration to mimic an antique / distressed finish.

699 Antique mirror, gilded mantle mirror, trumeau

You can see that this oak has a lot of character.  In fact, this white oak is a specific variety grown in France to use in the wine barrel industry.  These boards were the "rejects".  Discarded for reasons such as wormholes, cracks, mineral stains and the like.

699 Antique mirror, gilded mantle mirror, trumeau

Showing a close view of the distressed and discolored oak, the gilded half-round trim, and the very aged and splotchy mirror.

699 Antique mirror, gilded mantle mirror, trumeau

The very dark bits in the mirror are still reflective.

To order a mirror such as this, here is a link to our online store.  You may specify dimensions, color, and all other details.