Farmhouse table (pine or other wood)?

17 years ago

We would really like to have a farm table made. In searching around, they seem to be available in pine or other hardwoods such as maple or cherry.

I have heard that pine is a "soft" wood.

The difference between pine and hardwood tables seems to be between $700 and $1000 dollars (for a 8 foot + table)

Would pine be okay for an everyday farm style table, or should we spend the extra money for cherry, maple or walnut?

This will be in our open concept kitchen/dining room.

Thank you.

Kimberly

Featured Answer

drcollie

17 years ago

There are over 200 varieties of Pine, if you purchasing a furniture-grade pine such as Eastern White, you will get excellent service out of it for generations. Most the antiques that are still usable 300 years later are of Eastern White Pine.

Pine is a softer wood than cherry. Cherry is a softer wood than Maple. Soft does not mean inferior, it just indicates that if you drop say a candlestick on the table, in a pine top table you might get a 1/8" deep gash whereas on the maple table it would be 1/32".

I don't like pine top surfaces for writing desks, or if your kids to homework on the table top. A ballpoint pen used without a backing surface will leave an impression in pine. Hardwood tops are better for that.

What's more important than the top wood, is how is the table constructed? Is the base mortise and tenon (best), or doweled (not as good) or a screw-on leg (awful)? That's the key to durability.

Does the table have breadboard ends? (A cross grain end-cap)? These are needed to keep the table top from warping over time.

The # 1 killer of table tops is heat. Doesn't matter what wood its made of, heat kills the finish and leaves whitish blemishes on the table. And NEVER, EVER, let the little girls get near the table surface with Acetone (Fingernail polish remover).

-Duane C.
www.keepingroom.com

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

western_pa_luann
17 years ago
We have pine farmhouse table in our kitchen.
It still looks good over 10 years later (and it had a brief stint as DH's desk...), but that might be aided by the glass top that has sat on it for many a year now!
laura1202
17 years ago
We had a farmhouse table in our old house that was ash (much harder than pine, I think) with a kind of cherry stain on the top and dark green legs (I thought I had a picture but I don't) and it looked great for almost 10 years. The top did get damaged with oven cleaner (don't ask), and I sanded and refinished it and it looks great again, we are using it in the new house as a laundry folding table!
Related Discussions
Need opinions on old farmhouse pine floor -- tung oil or paint?
Q
Comments (9)
Keep at it! I cant wait to see how this turns out. We have a 1897 farm house here in TX that has floors similar to you. We are not sure the wood, as it is painted, and has been since my folks bought it back in the 1980's. I have not yet had the time to start the stripping process but I would love to one day. This house has a lot of history, as 11 children were born and reared here. I am afraid of all the sanding, to get some boards even but I want to leave some of the wear, as it has character. One room at a time may be the way to go. The bead-board was once painted grey (by the previous owner) like the staircase the original was stained (one room upstairs still is)and we painted it white. The banister is original. The treads are all hand cut by the builders. I want to restore them first. Here is the house itself with new Hardie-board siding
...See More
One more post about my farmhouse table :o)
Q
Comments (26)
I like the dark too, but think you should do a natural finish. To me this means stain it how you want, waterlox it or something else that will wear and can be easily repaired, or that can just wear and get some patina. My sister and sister in law just bought beautiful tables that have a fancy finish, and on the first use there were tears when something spilled or a child's fairy wand scratched it. There was really no great way to repair it because it was a hard finish at the surface and that was damaged. For your table, you want it to be well loved (I have one like this too, I posted it on your last post on this topic) and it will get scratches and spills and it should be a great place to gather and hang out vs. a "keep away from the precious table" kind of piece. So, look for something that soaks into the wood -- I used this product 15 years ago by Minwax (they don't make it anymore) that had a stain and a sealer all in one. Every couple of years I take a cloth and wipe on another coat and the table is rich looking again -- I don't bother to sand out the scratches and stuff --- but could. It doesn't require a furniture refinisher. Also, my sister who bought a fancy table and had the fairy wand incident found a website called the furniture butler. They have lots of waxes and finishes that can do wonders.... even repairing her situation. Good luck, can't wait to see it! It is already beautiful! Here is a link that might be useful: the furniture butler
...See More
Small farmhouse table, anyone experienced in woodworking?
Q
Comments (51)
Hi EQ, Speaking of "as long as I can remember".. Maybe I just read your post twice and that's why I thought you had made two tables or possibly equated your apple pie recipe with making furniture, who knows. I can almost remember the days when I could remember. Senility is the "E-Ticket" of life. The un-induced double vision is like the metro bus that that awaits you on every corner. o_O I've never missed a bus in my life but sure do miss being able to see straight. At least with senility you keep forgetting you have it. You can't remember that you can't remember. I used to be able to spot things a mile away and now all I see are spots. I was reading another post where someone was talking (if I can remember correctly) about miscommunication with contractors and architects and was going to be relaxing with an "adult beverage" and the fist thing that came to mind was "yuk-!", prune juice is not what you want to be drinking if you want to relax. Then it dawned on me... Tequila. I should remember to ask my doctor about that. Not for me but for my friends so they'll talk louder so I could possibly hear them. I don't think I've ever bought a new piece of furniture that made it through the doors of my house. I have bought some Grants' specials to gift to others knowing the piece it replaced would be tossed to the curb though. It is amazing what people consider garbage. People used to think I made and refinished furniture because I enjoyed it but that was the farthest from the truth. I just like nice things and you could not buy them at G. Fox et al. So now that your table is done and you're anxious to have some people over for dinner the moment your chairs arrive what's on the menu for the christening?
...See More
Seating for Heavy Farmhouse Table
Q
Comments (14)
We just purchased a very similar table this weekend only ours has a black metal base. We are also looking at black metal chairs very similar to the one you posted. We were debating between doing four metal chairs, two on each side with two larger fabric arm chairs for the ends or a bench on one side and the metal chairs on the opposite side and ends. Husband REALLY wanted the bench because he had one growing up and I couldn't find any arm chairs I loved so we did the bench and chair combo for now. If we hate it we can always sell the bench get arm chairs and move the other chairs around.
...See More
pinegrove
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for the information.

Much appreaciated.

Here is the link the the website of the tables we are considering. WDYT?

Here is a link that might be useful: Pine Farm Tables
drcollie
17 years ago
Those are the guys in Sperryville, coming down the mountain - been by their place many times. They do the construction correctly so I think they would be fine if you like their styles and finishes.

-Duane C.
www.keepingroom.com
lauren17
17 years ago
I purchased a the Williamsburg table from Antique Tables Made Daily about 2 years ago. Had it made in maple rather than pine because I was afraid that pine would be too soft. It did get one dent in it when DH dropped something, but because it is a distressed finish, it blends right in.
I think drcollie is correct in that pine is a fine choice as well as a hardwood. They make a quality table and I get tons of compliments on mine.
pinegrove
Original Author
17 years ago
Lauren,

Thank you for reassuring me about Antique Tables Made Daily.

Do you recall what color finish your table is?

Glad to hear you get lots of compliments. It must be really nice.

Do you have a picture of it?

Thank you,
Kimberly
lauren17
17 years ago
They didn't have names of stains when I ordered from them, but I think the closest color would be "Fireside".

Here is a link that might be useful:
pinegrove
Original Author
17 years ago
Lauren-Thank you. It is beautiful! Do you like your chairs from them as well?
lauren17
17 years ago
I sat on all the chairs they had and these thumbacks were the most comfortable to me - and a fair price if I recall.
ironsandymaiden
3 years ago
That’s hilarious about the fingernail polish remover, I did the same thing to my parents brand new $1200 pine dining table when I was 4. 😬😬

Farmhouse table (pine or other wood)?

drcollie

Comments (11)

western_pa_luann

laura1202

Related Discussions

pinegrove
Original Author

drcollie

lauren17

pinegrove
Original Author

lauren17

pinegrove
Original Author

lauren17

ironsandymaiden

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Farmhouse table (pine or other wood)?

Comments (11)

Related Discussions

pinegroveOriginal Author

pinegroveOriginal Author

pinegroveOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

pinegrove
Original Author

pinegrove
Original Author

pinegrove
Original Author