Which woods make the best live edge tables?
Haru Metal Table Legs
With over 60,000 wood species around the world, how do you choose? A good rule is staying close to home. Also, it is good to look for a wood monger that believes in sourcing its logs ethically.
Basically, in a nutshell, it’s not cutting a living tree unless in a managed forest, selective harvesting, salvage, or dead standing.
Trees have life cycles, so why not manage wood harvest around their cycles. But back to what is the best wood for live edge furniture. The most stable is old-growth Redwood within the USA, but Black walnut, Cherry, and Claro walnut are also great options.
Oaks, whether red, white, or black oak, are also options and sycamore and maple. Each species has its challenges but finding a custom furniture maker specializing in live-edge furniture will help.
Black walnut, Cherry, and Claro walnut:
When you invest in a walnut for a live-edge table, you enjoy several advantages. First, these tables are durable, combining sturdy wood and walnut veneers. While some styles boast an all-wood construction, others incorporate additional durable materials like metal.
Regardless of the style you select, you will enjoy the versatility of this table. Walnut and metallic finishes coordinate easily with hues of any color, allowing this piece to blend seamlessly into your space, working well with decorative elements like accent pillows and area rugs.
Oaks, whether red, white, or black oak:
An oak for a live-edge table table or oak desk is made from the sturdy wood of an oak tree. The strength of oaks has inspired several countries to adopt them as symbols on money and flags, and in 2004 the oak was voted the national tree by the US Congress.
What Does Live-edge Actually Mean?
Live-edge woodworking has become a must-know topic since I embarked in the field of harvesting, milling, and turning wood. If you follow rustic or organic interior designing, you’re in all likelihood aware of the popularity of live-edge woodworking.
What does live-edge actually mean? Live-edge defines the unfinished edge of the woodwork. It is the periphery of wood not altered by hand tools or woodworking machinery. As a result, the untouched end of slabs and furniture retains the original characteristics of a tree; its shape, and bark. This design element is referred to as a live edge.
Image Source: www.campysdesigns.com
Live-edge has been used to describe a theme and genre of wood furniture making, wood art, and products. It is a style of woodworking where the artist incorporates the living edge of the wood into the finished product. And if you like the raw appeal of live-edge carpentry you’ll be happy to know that there is a large range of applications for live-edge.
It All Begins with the Lumber
Whether it’s a live-edge table or wood bowl, all woodworking projects start with live-edge lumber.
The construction of tables begins with the live-edge wood slab. These pieces are cuts of wood that do not have finished edges. Unlike traditional lumber that comes with a straight side, the contour on a live-edge slab mimics that of the original tree.
Image source: www.redwoodburl.com
Slabs can come in thicknesses of 1” to 3” depending upon the intended use. 1-2” thicknesses are typically geared to specialty woodworking and 3” is more common for making dining or conference tables.
Working with Live-edge
Live-edge woodwork is a bit more complex than working with regular dimensional lumber. Special consideration has to be given to a wood project when considering live edge design.
- Unlike square and finished wood, live-edges can come with holes, cracks, and voids. These often require some kind of filling with resin or filler.
- Being organic, live edges are not straight. This presents a multitude of challenges when cutting and measuring.
- The bark is subject to decay and can fall apart as wood expands and contracts. Many woodworkers remove the bark entirely and leave only a natural edge.
Live-edge Table
Perhaps the most popular application of live-edge design is in table making. Live-edge tables typically have at least one side, sometimes both sides of the table untouched. Unlike traditionally finished tables, a live-edge table brings the natural lines of the tree into the living space. By design, it brings the appearance of the outdoors inside. Custom-made by mother nature, each piece is just as unique as fingerprints.
Best Metal Legs For Live-Edge Tables
Depending on your decor, a live edge table legs can easily fit into your living room, dining room or den. So many of today's tables feature bases and legs that blend styles from mid century modern to industrial to boho chic.
Are you in search of the perfect metal table legs for your table top? Perhaps your table top has a natural edge. Or maybe you have a wooden or even granite table top. Here are Best Metal Legs For Your Live-Edge Tables
Best for Overall Table
Akro Table Legs are metal table legs finished with matte black powder coating.
The table legs can be set up for a table that seats up to eight people thanks to a drop-in leaf that expands the table to 93 inches with ease.
These table legs can be used for live edge tables or benches. Use this design to get compliments
Best Color Options
Wishbone Gold Brass Metal Table Legs is known for its high-quality, live-edge table, and the Dining Table is one of its best-selling options for the dining room. It can match any decor.
With gold brass color, make your live-edge table look more modern but still keep style for your house.
Best for Small Spaces
The Xeni Table legs fit the live-edge table top which can accommodate up to six chairs, these are the perfect size for a smaller dining room or kitchen. These affordable dining table legs are made from steel, still making an authentic modern look. All of which have been purposefully distressed for a more rustic appearance.
The table’s simple design makes it easy to pair up with chairs or even a bench.
And some table leg ideas for your live edge table, which have received the most good feedback from our customers.
1. Curva Metal Table Legs
2. Hoshi Metal Table Base
3. Haru Metal Table Legs
4. Dentro Metal Table Base
5. Arco Metal Table Base
6. Hatty Metal Table Legs
7. Akro Metal Table Legs
8. Xeni Metal Table Legs
9. Cleo Metal Table Legs
Here are some reviews about these table legs:
“I was very nervous to order from a company that I hadn't recommended. I really liked the legs and checked reviews before purchasing.
I’m so pleased we chose Flowyline Design, we are chuffed with the quality of our purchase, they kept us informed at every stage of delivery and it came very promptly. I will definitely recommend it to family and friends!” - Gregory
“ Alex and his team of highly skilled welders make an excellent base. Would highly recommend to anyone considering replacing legs on an old table or in my case making a live edge slab. With a proper mounting base will last as long as the 150 year old walnut. The adjustable feet are a great addition for those not so level floors.” - Nick
“ Great legs! I used them for a coffee table. They work perfectly to compliment the entire piece. Love them!” - Craig
The above are the metal table legs that have received the most positive feedback from our customers. If you are looking for metal table legs to match the Live Edge Tables in your house, these are the best options.
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