The Table - Art or Functional Horizontal Surface?

I mentioned my dining room table in an earlier post on the Wolfman razors and kwsher asked me to post some pictures of the table so here it is - I'll start by pasting in the original post where I first referenced the table.

think I used the phrase piece of art in an earlier post and I stand behind it. The razor is a functional tool for sure but its executed beautifully and is a joy to look at, hold and use. It reflects on the values of the maker and the user. I've been a carpenter and I can tell you a tool isn't just a tool. Some are completely soulless utilitarian objects and others are functional art. Why do people collect vintage tools? Or vintage razors? Is a car just transportation? Is a piece of furniture, say a dining room table, merely a horizontal surface from which to eat from? It can be, a 4x8 sheet of plywood on sawhorses would suffice. Or it can be more - a tribute to the maker (earthly and otherwise). I have a massive 4x9 table made from the structural timbers (douglas fir) of a 150 year old fruit packing warehouse that was an integral part of the history of the region where it stood. I worked closely with the craftsman on dimensions and details, it has hand forged fittings made by a local metal worker. Its more than just a table, its a connection between me and my family and the generations that came before us and it will continue that link in future generations. I would call it a piece of art. I'm sure my son and future grandsons will use my Wolfman razor long after I'm gone - maybe I will hang it on the wall.

I thought I'd post a little more on the background of the Table and why its important to me.

It a great table that we can comfortably sit 14 people around. The table is significant because it is made of a piece of the history of a place that is special to me and my family and where we've spent a few weeks each summer for many years. In British Columbia there is a lake called Okanagan Lake around which orchards thrived from the late 19th century until present time. The orchard owners formed co-ops and built these packing houses throughout the region where they would bring the fruit (apples, pears, peaches, plums etc no citrus) after picking to consolidate and pack for transport to market. The Naramata Bench area grew the best fruit because of the orientation of the bench and light exposure. Things began to change in the latter part of the 20th century - the growing conditions that were so good for orchards proved to be ok for vineyards too so a slow process of vinification / de-orchardization began. I can't describe the feeling we had the one summer when we rounded a bend in the road and said to the kids in anticipation "there's Bonnie's U-pick" and we were faced with bare fields - all the trees cut down and logs stacked at the edges of the former orchards. They didn't even plant vines there but rather built a big winery / wine store. We don't drink that brand. In any case as more orchards disappeared and were replaced by vines there was less need for fruit packing houses and the orchards consolidated in to fewer packing houses and the Naramata Packing house was closed a few years back and eventually torn down. A local craftsman bought up the salvage rights and salvaged some beautiful timbers and thats how I came to have a dining room table made from structural timbers of the Naramata packing house that stood for 100+ years in the village of Naramata on the shores of Lake Okanagan.

It's art to me.
Marko

Very cool Marko

I know all about Okanagan Lake and the Ogopogo. I was born in San Joseph BC (my Dad was military so was stationed in Holberg). We grew up visiting my grandparents, aunts & uncle in Winfield (Okanagan Valley) as they all worked in the apple plants. I remember walking across the street and stealing apples from the trees.

I miss the mountains! Dad decided to retire in Winnipeg, so I stayed and now this is home for my family.

That is one beautiful table. I am a wood lover and I love to see a fine piece of wood finished to show the natural beauty of the wood. Your table does just that. Thanks for showing it.

Beautiful craftsmanship, design and the wood grain is remarkable. In the description, I had no idea what to expect but whatever preconceived ideas I may have had were vastly surpassed.

Although I have worked in tech for my entire adult life, my undergrad degree is actually in Architecture, which may lend itself to how I view the world and what often constitutes Functional Art. This is it.

I could easily see your piece in Fallingwater as a central piece- the historical significance adding even more to the aesthetic.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks @"Bruce" , hrairy and kwsher for your kind comments. The craftsman who built the table was Rick Grandbois of Plexus Woodworking in Naramata, BC. He has since closed up shop for reasons I'm not aware of, however, doing work for a lot of the big money wineries in the OK Valley while trying to raise 5 children might have had something to do with it. When I first started discussing the concept with Rick I learned about various design elements such as the divine ratio - 4' x 9' falls within it. Certain proportions are just aesthetically pleasing to humans while others aren't. This explains why some designs just look/feel awkward and others more naturally pleasing. The double taper on the legs was an element that I contributed - I'd seen another of his tables that was a little smaller and only had the taper on the ends. I wanted something more rooted to the earth so the double taper came into it which necessitated some massive pieces of lumber - the legs aren't laminated but rather single blocks of wood and also the wrought iron plates had to be cast with a complimentary taper so as to allow the tie rods and bolt caps to seat squarely. It was a lot of fun to collaborate with Rick and he was gracious in listening to my ideas even when they were just wrong. We waited until the table was in place before deciding on chairs. I initially considered large, leather upholstered chairs but quickly discarded the idea on seeing the table - why cover it up? We eventually settled on the Stickley spindle back side chairs in cherry wood with complimentary stain and brown leather seats. We liked the minimalist design so that the table would always be the focal point. Its great to crowd hungry people around. My wife says we need to find a bigger house more suitable to the table. I laugh at her joke. I hope she's joking.
Marko

Marko, thank you for sharing this; it has been an interesting ride.

P.S. That table is gorgeous!

Marko - as a woodworker myself I am stunned by the shear size and beauty of that table. Incredible including the metal work - I just hope you ave a lot of big friends if you need to move it. Even better is the history and connection to the wood - something I am sure you passed on to your family.

Marko, beautiful table and a great anecdote!  B.C. seems to be a popular subject on these boards.  

You should really incorporate that lovely wood texture of your table and that wonderful room into your SOTD pics, my friend!

Awesome table Marko! I bet it costed a pretty penny!