What started as a Thanksgiving crisis became one of our proudest success stories — a handcrafted walnut table, designed and delivered in just four weeks.

  • A couple’s 12-foot store-bought table arrived too dark and sagging just weeks before Thanksgiving.

  • They returned it and came to New England Table Company, visiting the shop to learn about solid wood construction and proper support.

  • Together, we designed an 11-foot walnut table with a custom geometric steel base, built in just four weeks.

  • Long, dramatic walnut slabs were sourced from Maine and hand-joined, with hidden steel supports added for stability.

  • The handcrafted base arrived one day before delivery — just in time for installation.

  • Delivered and assembled the day before Thanksgiving, the result was stunning: a solid, heirloom-quality centerpiece that transformed their home and holiday.

Every project begins with a story, but few carry the urgency—or the emotional stakes—of this one. It started just a few weeks before Thanksgiving, when a couple reached out in a panic. They had committed to hosting a large family gathering, with guests traveling from all over the country. The centerpiece of that event, naturally, was to be the dining table: a 12-foot statement piece they had ordered from Restoration Hardware months earlier.

When the long-awaited table finally arrived, excitement quickly turned to disappointment. The finish was nearly black—far darker than they had envisioned—and worse, the massive top sagged visibly in the center. Whether from poor joinery, inadequate supports, or inferior materials, it simply couldn’t meet the expectations or the demands of a gathering that size. Within days, the couple had returned the table and were left with a big, empty dining room and a fast-approaching deadline.

That’s when they found New England Table Company.

A Visit to the Studio

When they arrived at the studio in New Hampshire, they were understandably anxious. Thanksgiving was less than five weeks away, and they had already been through one major disappointment. As we talked, their priorities became clear: they wanted something beautiful, solid, and trustworthy—a table that would bring their family together, not fall apart under its own weight.

We walked through the shop, past several tables in progress. They could see the process up close: slabs being flattened, joints being cut, finishes being hand-applied. I explained how each project begins with material selection and structural integrity. Solid wood construction, proper support, and attention to how wood moves over time are what keep a table stable for generations—not just for one holiday. (We'd love to see you, too - schedule a studio visit)

The more we talked, the more their nerves shifted to excitement. Together, we sketched out a design for an 11-foot-long black walnut table with a geometric steel base—a design bold enough to anchor a large space, but refined enough to fit the warm elegance of their home. It was a big job with an even bigger deadline. (See more - Our custom black walnut tables)

We had four weeks to build it.

The Hunt for the Perfect Slabs

Finding the right walnut for a table of this scale isn’t as simple as pulling a few boards from a rack. Each slab needed to be long, straight, stable, and visually striking. For days, I reached out to trusted suppliers across New England, searching for slabs worthy of a Signature build. The clock was ticking.

Finally, a hardwood supplier in Maine called with promising news: a few extra-long, dramatically figured walnut slabs had just arrived. I drove up that same day. Standing in the warehouse, I could see they were perfect—rich in color, swirling with character, and wide enough to make an impressive bookmatched top. Within hours, the slabs were on my trailer and heading back to the shop.

By the end of that day, they were flattened and prepped for joinery. Real construction had begun. (Read more - Building a table with New England Table Company)

From Rough Wood to Refined Form

The transformation from rough slabs to an heirloom table is always remarkable, but this time the stakes made it especially meaningful. The slabs were aligned, cut, and joined seamlessly down the center. Cracks and natural voids—inevitable in large, character-grade walnut—were filled with clear epoxy, preserving the wood’s organic beauty while ensuring strength and durability.

To prevent the table from cupping or bowing as the wood acclimated to the home’s environment, I installed steel support channels on the underside. These invisible reinforcements allow the wood to move naturally while maintaining a perfectly flat surface. Every stage was measured, checked, and rechecked for precision.

As the surface came together, the figure of the walnut came alive—ripples of grain catching the light like calm water. I sanded each section by hand, gradually refining the surface to a silky smooth finish, ready for its final layers of oil and wax.

Meanwhile, several hundred miles away, the custom steel base was being fabricated by a metalworker I’ve collaborated with for years near Chicago. His craftsmanship matched my own values: precision, balance, and pride in every weld. The geometric design was complex but beautifully proportioned—strong enough to support the massive top while remaining visually light and modern.

Everything was on track—until the base was delayed.

A Race Against Time

As the deadline approached, the shop hummed with intensity. The walnut top was finished, polished, and waiting patiently. But without the base, there was no table to deliver. We checked tracking updates daily, rearranged schedules, and prepared every detail we could in advance.

Finally, one day before delivery, the base arrived. I’ll never forget that moment—the sound of the delivery truck backing in, the sight of that imposing steel geometry emerging from the crate. It was stunning.

We immediately went to work. With careful alignment and a few sets of strong hands, we positioned the base under the walnut top and secured them together. It was heavy, but everything fit perfectly—the proportions, the balance, the way the angles of the base complemented the movement of the wood grain.

That evening, as the sun set through the shop windows, the table stood complete—a symbol of teamwork, trust, and determination.

Delivery Day

The next afternoon, we loaded the table for delivery. It took four people to carry the base and five to move the top—each piece as solid as it was beautiful. Once inside the clients’ home, we reassembled everything carefully, centered the table, and polished the final surface.

When the couple saw the table in their dining room for the first time, they were speechless. The warmth of the walnut, the sculptural elegance of the base, and the mirror-flat top completely transformed their space.

“It’s completely amazing. We've never seen such beautiful work!,” they said. And then came the moment that made the whole race worthwhile: “Thank you so much for making this happen for us - we appreciate it more than you know!”

A Story of Excellence

Four weeks earlier, they had faced a design disaster and an empty dining room. Now, they had a handcrafted centerpiece worthy of the occasion—and a story that would be told every Thanksgiving for years to come. (Find inspiration for yours - view our Signature Collection)

For me, it was more than a tight deadline. It was a reminder of why I do what I do: to create furniture that’s not just functional, but meaningful.

Every New England Table Company project begins with collaboration, evolves through craftsmanship, and ends with connection. This one just happened to do it all on a tighter clock—and in the process, became one of my favorite stories to tell