Choosing a reclaimed dining table
Why reclaimed elm
Elm has a wild, open grain that runs from pale honey to a deep grey brown, and in a reclaimed table you can still see the marks of the timber's first life. The table itself is newly made and built for everyday use, so it's as happy in a farmhouse kitchen as in a pared-back modern dining room. Not every table here is elm: you'll also find tables in oak and other old timbers, chosen for the same kind of character.
What size do you need?
Allow about 60cm of table for each person, or 70cm if you like room to spread out. As a guide:
- 180cm to 225cm seats 6 to 8
- 250cm to 260cm seats 8 to 10
- 300cm seats 10 to 12
A top 90cm wide or more will usually take a chair at each end as well. Leave around 90cm between the table and the wall, so chairs can be pulled out and people can get past behind them.
Benches or chairs?
A bench fits more people along one side than chairs would, and slides under the table when it isn't needed, which suits a kitchen or a busy family table. A bench on one side and chairs on the other is a good way to have both. Choose a bench that fits under the overhang of the tabletop, so it tucks away neatly when it isn't in use.
Looking after a reclaimed table
Dust with a dry cloth and wipe up spills straight away. Avoid water and household cleaners, which will mark the surface, and keep the table away from radiators. Like any solid wood, it may move a little in a very dry room. Finishes vary from table to table, so ask us if you're unsure.
See them in person
There are always dining tables on show in our shop on the High Street in Moreton-in-Marsh. If there's a table on our website you'd like to see, let us know before you come and we can bring it to the shop for you.
