Reasonable Expectations for Solid Wood Dining Room Table

10 years ago

My husband and I are furnishing a new-to-us house, and as always, I'm a value shopper (highest quality for lowest price). We are on the hunt for dining room tables.

Specifications:

Rectangular dining room table
Approximately 78" wide x 40" deep to seat 8 people
Plus a leaf for entertaining
Trestle or pedestal base to enable more seating (unlike our current dining room table, whose legs block the corners)
Durable and likely distressed, since we'll be having kids
Light wood or gray/greige stain or something else that contrasts with our dark hardwood floors (50% Jacobean, 50% Ebony)
No red undertones
Chairs are a non-issue, since we won't be purchasing matching ones.

I like this Z Gallerie table, the reviews are great, and the price seems reasonable, but it's MDF.

This Wayfair table also has a reasonable price but is a bit too large and doesn't have a leaf.

This Overstock table looks promising, but one of the reviewers commented on red undertones.

I haven't had any luck on Craigslist thus far.

I've seen people recommend custom tables in previous threads, but I get sticker shock when perusing local woodworkers' profiles on CustomMade (although I recognize that people should be paid for their handcrafted work).

I live in Ohio, so Amish may be an option, but I'm not sure about price points, and the styles/stains I see online often look too traditional for our tastes. Places like Furniture Fair sell Amish-made tables, but if I were to go that route, I would go straight to the source and eliminate the middleman (Furniture Fair).

My questions are:

What's a realistic price for a solid wood table that meets the specifications listed above? I was hoping to stay within $1,500; however, if that were a ridiculous expectation, it would be helpful to know that.
Am I looking in the correct places?
Is there a wood type (e.g., maple) that is preferable/superior for quality and durability?

Thanks for your input!

Featured Answer

barryv_gw

10 years ago

First, stunned you have not had any luck with Craigslist. I just did a search locally and found quite a few. If you still have no local, check antique dealers or estate sales. The market for used furniture is now a fraction of what it was like 10 years ago - the younger generation does not want to buy furniture, and when they do, they generally want modern style. Also, if you find something you like, and the color is not what you want, see what it would cost to refinish it. Chairs can be expensive to refinish, but tables are much easier to do, so should not be that expensive. If you are looking at an antique dealer, they should have a suggestion as to a refinisher. I have not priced new furniture lately, but much of the furniture offered today is veneered, not solid wood. Common hardwoods for tables include cherry, maple, and mahogany. The maple is probably the strongest, though it usually comes in a lighter shade.

Don't even think custom. The cost for decent lumber is pretty high, and the material costs for such a large table could be in the neighborhood of $500 or up, so with labor, I would be stunned if you could find anything near your budget.

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Comments (6)

lindac92
10 years ago
I agree....look for antiques. You are describing my 75 year old semi-chippendale light mahogany table. There's one on eBay, a little narrower than you describe for $850>
Watch for Estate auctions.....
kleighj thanked lindac92
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jakkom
10 years ago
Estate sales are your best bet, but it can take time (and often they only take cash, with delivery extra or not available).

Ballard Designs is a company I've used occasionally for over a decade. They were recently mentioned in an interior designers article as "this is my secret place to go for well-made, stylish, moderate-priced furniture." I've bought mostly small pieces from them but been very satisfied.

They have the Casa Florentina table in a variety of color washes for the pedestal base. The price is $1799, solid beechwood which I have found to be extremely fine-grained and durable. In fact, you have to like whatever color it's stained (the top, in this case, is walnut-stained) because it's said to be almost impossible to strip and re-stain beechwood by any home method.

Ballard recently had a 20% off sale, which would have been $359 off the full price to bring it down within your budget. You might want to call them and find out when they're having their next sale, or at least get on their mailing list.

Casa Florentina table

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/casa-florentina-tarvine-double-pedestal-table-with-walnut-top/furniture/dining-kitchen/dining-tables/314661
kleighj thanked jakkom
lindac92
10 years ago
I have had no trouble buying at estate sales. There have been a couple in the 40 or so years I have been buying that did ask for either a letter of credit guarantee from my bank or asked to have a credit card as back up for my check....but that isn't the rule.
And I would much rather buy fine quality vintage hardwood furniture than cheap new....which isn't really as cheap as the good old vintage stuff.
kleighj thanked lindac92
iowabuilder
10 years ago
we have had great results working with www.amishfinefurnishings.com in Iowa
patty Vinson
10 years ago
And don't forget consignment furniture stores. Just about all my furniture came from consignmet/antique stores, as well as auctions and estate sales. The only new pieces I have are the upholstered pieces. All are solid wood vs MDF, and cost a lot less! If you have an appreciation for antique/vintage, and don't have a problem with it being 'used', that really is the way to go.