ISO Furniture maker who can copy this style
I’m trying to find a furniture maker who can figure how to make me a table similar to this Knoll one, only expandable. It’s got to be able to go from seating 4 comfortable to seating 8. Any ideas are much appreciated. Dee
I’m trying to find a furniture maker who can figure how to make me a table similar to this Knoll one, only expandable. It’s got to be able to go from seating 4 comfortable to seating 8.
Any ideas are much appreciated.
Dee
Thanks all. Great comments. I should have pointed out that I was just looking for a solution to the idea of having a not-horrible-looking round table that can be expanded into a larger round (or round-ish table). You’ve all provided some great suggestions. Many thanks. Keep ’em coming.
First, you pull out the dowel-like arm sections from the apron. The leaves come are each separate pieces which hook onto the beveled edge and rest on the dowel/arms. Each of the leaves has a hooking mechanism on one end and a latch on the other (same that you find on standard table leaves) so that once you set each piece is in place you lock them all together and they hold solid. I took a picture of the base so you could see.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30673694@N06/
However, I think it’s a moot point since as you point out the table deero wants lacks an apron.
Hello,
Did you consider an Amish woodworker? They, in my experience, are incredibly sensitive to a client’s custom requests. The Amish don’t only do woodwork typically associated with them. I’ve seen beautiful, modern Amish work before. Be prepared to wait many weeks for the job’s completion, though. I’ve seen them take good time to do their beautiful work.
chnyc
THL- Sorry, I hadn’t read down to your link. Do the leaves pull out and pop-up? Your table does have an apron. Look at the poster’s second picture. The top is very thin.
Can you explain how it works?
THL- I’m not quite getting the visual. Somehow I’m seeing flower petals with a round center, like a sunflower.
I think you have the solution. I just can’t envision it. How do they attach?
It’s like the one shown here…
http://www.boyles.com/furniture_shopping/large_image_popup.cfm?SID=027F0831-CDC8-4E98-9D3647C900308446
See the decorative detail around the bottom of the table? Those are dowels that pull out to support the leaves that lock on.
I have a round dining room table that seats 8 extra wide chairs. It’s 72″ across without the leaves 96″ across with. It doesn’t pull out into an oval from the center it remains round as the leaves are “half-moon” shapes the fit around the perimeter of the table. The base is a beast though it weighs a ton. Would something like that work superstooper if they really weighted the base?
Here’s another pie piece type solution. You would still need an apron to cover the mechanics and I am guessing that it would be very expensive to get someone to build this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv7HulVsen0
As you know the Saarinen table has a metal base. Does the table you show belong to you? Can you use that base? To have a carpenter build a table of that shape would require a solid pedestal and it would not really have the same look. Typically, a pedestal table that opens as much as you are thinking, would have drop down legs at as the table slides open and would have a leaf to make it oval. I have seen tables that expand their diameter with a center leaf but the tabletop in its smallest state has pie-like sections. This would not really be the look that you are going for (I don’t think). So back to the oval with leaves. This style of table usually has an apron to conceal the expansion tracks that are under the table top. It is rare to see a top this thin that can open. You could use slim metal tracks, The quickest and cheapest solution would be to either get a piece of plywood that is about 12 inches larger in diameter and put it on the existing table top when you need more space. You would have to test to see what the base could support without tipping, but the metal bases are quite heavy if I remember correctly. Also I think that they make a conference table with the same base, so it should work. If storage is a problem you could get a very heavy duty folding table pad that is larger than the table itself. It would require that you use a table cloth.
As far as having someone make it. . . Do you mean make a new top or have the metal base and the top made? I think that you would run into enormous expense having the base made. Herman Miller may sell you just the base, They are very accommodating.
As for a carpenter. . . it is not a tough job to make the top. Buting or fabricating the mechanism is a big deal. You should be able to find the piece prefab but you still have to get it connected to the base, most likely on two more pieces of wood. The table would sit higher and you will be able to see it. Back yo square one.
Good Luck! Hope I helped in some way.