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Olde Good Things

Architectural and Altered Antiques

Customer Showcase – Beach Side Boat House

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Built in 1926, the boathouse is located on Long Island Sound and sits just steps off of Jordan Cove in Waterford, CT. Owned by a single family until recently, it operated as a functioning nautical storage shed and place for engine repair it’s entire life. Ancient patchwork, an original stone wall, and the occasional hand-scratched date can be found when looking inside. The new owners have worked hard to preserve all the perfect patina while adding touches of their own to make the perfect summer hideout. A hand-carved mermaid bust, vintage GE refrigerator, wooden lobster traps, and a slew of buoys encircle the beautifully crafted cedar and steel counter-height picnic table built by OGT.

The cedar planks used for this table were reclaimed from a 100-year-old water tower in New York City.  As you can imagine the patina from weathering for years atop a high building make for a rich, rustic finish.  More of this cedar is available at this time.  So, if you are looking for a rustic outdoor table with a metal base or one that will be exposed to the elements, contact our table shop for a custom size table quote. You can also purchase the wood itself, click here.

Thank you to Erica Diskin of Assembly Design Studios for sharing her project with us.

3 Tips to Choosing the Right Wood for Your Table

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When choosing a wood for your custom table, the easiest part of the decision making process is picking the color of the wood. Now that you’ve gotten that decision out of the way, it’s time to consider a few other important factors so that you can make the best possible decision for your table.

3 Tips to Choosing the Right Wood for your Table

The three main factors involved in buying the right tabletop are durability, grain, and cost.

Durability is measured in the hardness of the wood via The Janka hardness test measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. The higher the number on the scale, the harder and more durable the wood.

Woodgrain is the arrangement of the wood fibers, denoting the texture of the wood. The wood pores that determined if it’s open or closed-grain. Larger pores are considered open grain and are visible to the naked eye. Smaller pores create a closed grain.

When considering the cost for your new table or desk, it is important to keep in mind that the wood utilized is solid wood (as opposed to the less expensive particle board wood commonly used in mass-produced tables) has been salvaged and is not virgin wood. Olde Good Things is consciously utilizing practices to avoid deforestation where possible. The cost of each hand-crafted table is reflected in the craftsmanship and quality of each table and is indicative of the table’s longevity.

 

MAPLE

 

DURABILITY: One of the hardest woods typically used for high-use furniture such as cabinetry. Takes dark stain semi-well, but is known for being splotchy when applied.  Moisture-resistant, maple is rated as non-durable to perishable, and susceptible to insect attack. Janka rating 1400-1500

GRAIN: Straight, closed-grain.

COST: Medium

 

OAK

Round Oak Table Top

 

DURABILITY: Oak is a hard-wearing and heavy wood – able to withstand constant use. Most often cut in a way that makes it resistant to warping. Rated as non-durable to perishable, with poor insect resistance. Stains when in contact with water. Janka rating 1200-1300

GRAIN: It is known for having lovely open-grain markings.

COST: Medium

 

PINE

Rectangle Pine Table with turned legs

 

DURABILITY: Low-density, softwood. Prone to nicks and scratches. Takes paint and stain well. The heartwood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay resistance. Janka rating 300-400

GRAIN: Even, close-grained

COST: Low

 

WALNUT

walnut top table with steel tube base

DURABILITY: Walnut is a hardwood known for its strength. Rated as very durable in terms of decay resistance, though it is susceptible to insect attack. Janka rating 1000-1100

GRAIN: Straight, open-grain. It has a medium texture and moderate natural luster.

COST: High

 

Watch a video on how to care for your wood tabletop

Take a look at our Farmhouse or Industrial table blog posts

 

Industrial Style Dining Room Tables at Olde Good Things

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Who would have dreamed that interiors once reserved for factories and warehouses would one day grace our living spaces? The industrial style movement has taken the design world by storm — and we love it! Here at Olde Good Things, our salvage team seeks out the industrial with our careful excavations of historic buildings.

 

Not only is the loft look the epitome of sleek and modern, it adds a simple, utilitarian vibe to household effects. By combining the durability of historic craftsmanship with contemporary design, hard, manufactured edges with soft, discreet undertones, the industrial living space achieves a robust balance between nature and the innovation of man.

The secret to achieving this ambience is by using open space as a design element and breaking up the space with a few signature items. The industrial look may include, but is not limited to: marine salvage, industrial carts, pulleys, salvage machine bases, and salvage lockers illuminated by industrial lighting fixtures. Lighting can be achieved by utilizing overhead holophane fixtures from a factory, or repurposed steel cage sconces. Earthy elements like copper, tin, iron, and corrugated metal are salvaged from the discard pile and made by Olde Good Things shops into mirrors and furniture.

Custom Industrial Tables

One of the most highly revered pieces of the modern design aesthetic is the custom, industrial style dining room table. Olde Good Things prides itself on repurposing pieces of unassuming, natural materials into beloved and substantial tables. Custom tables can feature surfaces constructed of reclaimed wood or steel, paired with steel or cast iron legs. Clients have the option of ordering matching wood benches to complement their custom industrial dining table. Tables are made-to-order with a 6-8 week production time. Table top sizes can be customized to fit need and usage.

For a custom piece of history like the rustic table, Olde Good Things offers a selection of pine, oak, maple, walnut, and steel for the surface. Slabs are available in smooth, rustic, or semi-rustic textures with a selection of stain colors. Cast iron or steel legs serve as a base.

To learn more about our distinctive crafting process, visit our website page here, or come see us in person at our Scranton, Pennsylvania warehouse.

Table Talk

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It’s that time of year-table time.  And we thought we would give everyone a sneak preview at some of the new designs coming out of our shop this season.  It’s not too late to get your table before the holiday’s, so peruse our web site and take a look at some of these pictures, and help us design the perfect table for you made from reclaimed materials.

One of our favorites this season, is the maple and oak industrial flooring table tops.  These have been turning many heads and gaining more interest by our customers.  Here’s just a few samples of what we have produced.

30 in. Wide bistro table made with the industrial flooring wood

30 in. Wide bistro table made with the industrial flooring wood

Stainless steel screws enhance the rustic, scratched patina’d floor wood, beautifully planed and a special matte lacquer finish applied.  These tables are especially popular and can be made to size.  Here’s just a few samples:

As you can see, the patina is magnificent:

Up close and personal with the industrial flooring patina

 

Also, now available, reclaimed oak from old barns.  Here’s a breakfast room table 40 in. wide:

Reclaimed oak bistro table with cast iron pedestal baseThis would look wonderful in your home, restaurant or cafe

Of course, we are still producing classic reclaimed antique white pine tables, many with extensions, like this six foot variety with 14 inch extensions and brown maple stain.

Classic reclaimed white pine table with extensions

Here’s one of the most popular white pine tables available, our “urban farm” table with Brooklyn NY cast iron legs in provincial stain.

Urban style white pine table with Brooklyn legs

 

If you prefer a more elegant finished look, you can always opt for an American black walnut table.  Here are two recent custom samples produced in our shop:

 

 

Remember, we stand behind all our products and guarantee the craftmanship and expertise to be exactly what you’ve grown to expect from tables manufactured by Olde Good Things.  All our tables are hand-made and produced right at our shop in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Take a look at our web site and you will see the many varieties of tables we have available.  You can also order your own custom table made from reclaimed and live edge woods, just email us your specifications and we’ll provide a quote for you.

Olde Good Things