Coffee Tables with a Glass Top

These table designs are the outcome from an iterative sketching session.  The construction details are simple and style independent.  I've made 3 different styles of this system with different legs and wood choices that all are put together the same way.  The variations were inspired by a former student's research project. Her hypothesis was that age, gender, socio-economic status, and a few other factors would influence style-based buying choices.

I call this one Chéri.

Cherry Legs. Wax Finish

Simple Construction

Cherry Top.  Oil Finish

The legs of Chéri were also an outcome of their own iterative sketching session. The height of the foot is the same as the gap between the glass top and the wood top. The upper curve (a French curve) if continued down would end at the inside corner of the legs. I've made copies of this design out of hard maple with a birds eye center strip and red oak with a curly oak center strip. Both have found their own homes.  This cherry version was the original prototype.  The finish on the legs was an experiment which I don't care for. Plywood templates of both the front and side curves of the legs make it rather easy to duplicate the legs.  The two that I sold had a nicer glass top with an ogee edge to compliment the French ogee edge profile on the wood top.  Having a transparent top encourages featuring more interesting wood grain on the shelf below. The shelf is also a good place for seasonal or thematic décor. 

This one is Savanna.  Where Zebras roam.

Zebra Legs

Simple Construction

Zebrawood Center

I used a photo of Zebras to help inspire the shape of the legs. Zebra wood is rather busy when used in wide panels, so the top is a center strip of Zebrawood with quarter sawn white oak strips on both sides that the legs appear to run through. 

The third design was simpler with square post legs and made from red oak. "Country" might best describe the style. Red oak with a cherry stain. My parents chose it out of the three designs and it was handed down to my oldest sister. She enjoys it. I don't have a photo of this one but below is a rendered image of what it looks like without a glass top.

All versions normally have silicon pads atop the legs which both keeps the glass from being bumped out of position, and covers the top of the bolts that keep the top and bottom sections of the legs attached to the wood top.  

So which design do you prefer?  I'd love to know and if you don't mind sharing your age and gender that data would add to the data the student collected.  

4D

Comments and questions welcomed and encourage.  

Accessory Table. 5ft.

Tables with a round top ask for a nice base that looks great from all angles, and contributes to rather than distracts from the overall aesthetic.

This little 5 footed table stands sturdily and proud. Made from Cherry wood, and finished with Danish Oil.  The top has a French Ogee profile to add a little style. 

Legs are made from 3 parts joined together with mortises and tenons. The legs all dovetail into a 5 sided center hub at the top and lower down. Leg parts were rough cut then trimmed to identical shapes with a template and pattern bit on the router table.   

A nice stance.

No bad views.

The design evolved through iterative sketches. No design of mine falls directly onto paper. An initial sketch might be nice, but iteration never fails to improve upon the aesthetic appeal. How the design is made also evolves through iteration. 

Comments welcomed and appreciated!

4D

Just a Prototype

Often I sit with a sketchbook iterating little drawings of table designs.  A table after all is just a horizontal plane held above the floor with a structure. The structure's only purpose is to support the top and whatever it might be used for securely and reliably. Something to span the gap between floor and top and resist gravity. This can range anywhere from a solid block to a spindly center post with spindly feet. 

Iterate.

Occasionally I come to a design that appeals to me more than usual. If it looks even better a day later  I'll do a digital drawing of it. If the digital design is still appealing I often make a prototype. 

This little table is one outcome from such a process. The prototype leg shape is CNC cut from 3/4" thick MDF.  

MDF

The top is solid walnut.  The leg design I envisioned to be made from walnut pieces joined together.  No need in a prototype to use expensive material and labor though.   

Walnut Wood

I painted the MDF legs with red primer with the intent to then paint them with a final color.  The primer color looks good with the walnut top.  This is just an aesthetic prototype and once walnut legs are made the MDF versions will be discarded. Good enough it is. 

Underside

Overside

The legs dovetail into a triangular center post. Screws through the top hold tight to the post and legs.  Screws are counterbored  and covered with walnut plugs.

Comments welcomed.

4D