Here at Smith Farms, we love live edge coffee tables so much that we decided to dedicate a whole page to them on our website!
When people want a live edge coffee table for their home, they often turn to custom furniture builders like us because good live edge tables can be hard to come by in retail stores. For people with specific ideas about how they want their table to look, or for those who have specific size requirements, it can be next to impossible to find what they want—even online. If you are in the market for a live edge coffee table for your home, you’ve come to the right place!
What Is a Live Edge Table?
Even if you’ve never heard the term “live edge” before, you’ve likely seen a live edge table. A live edge table is one that has one or more sides that retain the natural edge of the tree from which the wood was cut. Live edge tables can be made from live edge slabs or live edge rounds. A live edge slab is a piece of wood that is cut lengthwise from the tree, while a live edge round, sometimes called a “cookie,” is a cross-section of a tree trunk and is typically round-ish in shape. A slab will have a raw edge on two sides (the long sides), while a round will have the natural shape and texture all the way around.
In some live edge tables, a single slab or round is used, while in others, two or more pieces of wood are joined together to create a unique tabletop. If you like the look of live edge wood but want the sides of your table to be straight, you can choose to put the live edges facing the center of the table and join them with epoxy.
People love live edge tables because they bring an organic element to whatever room they are placed in. Each live edge table is also completely unique—even two tables constructed from wood from the same tree!
Wood Selection for Live Edge Coffee Tables
Perhaps more than any other type of table, the wood selection in a live edge table is very important, because the wood really is the star in a live edge table. The particular wood slab or round you choose can also help drive the design of the coffee table. Maybe initially you were thinking you wanted a round live edge coffee table, but when you see a particular slab that is more oblong, you might change your mind and go in that direction instead. Or perhaps you were thinking that you would have the bark removed from the live edge, but once you see a slab with the bark still on it, you decide to leave it.
At our Southern California woodshop, we have multiple live edge slabs in stock from which you can choose, but we are also happy to take you to a local sawmill to browse their selection so you get exactly what you want.
Live Edge Isn’t Just for Rustic Furniture
So many people equate live edge furniture with a rustic design style. They picture tables that belong in log cabins or old farmhouses. While some live edge tables can certainly have a rustic look and feel, they don’t have to! Live edge tables can go in just about any style of home—including homes with a sleek and modern style.
It’s all about how the live edge slab is finished and the details that are included in the table. For example, we can finish a slab with a high-gloss polyurethane and have a sleek metal base crafted for the bottom, which would create a very modern look that isn’t rustic at all.
Crafted for You
Ready to own a quality, American-made piece that’s crafted just for you? Contact us today to get started!
Live Edge Coffee Tables Take Time to Craft
Live edge wood must be handled with extreme care! When we make live edge coffee tables, we often sand the edges of the wood by hand so we don’t lose any of the wood’s organic beauty. When we are joining two live edge slabs together to make a table, we spend whatever time is needed to get the joinery just right.
This all takes time. Most of our clients understand this, but sometimes we get people who wonder why we can’t deliver their table in two days—like Amazon does.
We don’t keep our clients waiting for their custom furniture longer than necessary, but we also aren’t willing to rush the process. We promise the finished table will be worth the wait!
Base Styles for Live Edge Coffee Tables
Just like every live edge tabletop is different, every base we build can be completely unique as well. In the past, we’ve used sleek wood legs, welded metal bases, chunky wood pedestals, and more on coffee tables. The style and type of material of the coffee table base is completely up to you! If you’re not sure what you want, we are happy to offer suggestions based on the style of table you want.
Completely Custom Live Edge Coffee Tables from Smith Farms
When you work with Smith Farms to have a liven edge coffee table designed and built for your home, the end result is a completely custom table that you won’t find anywhere else. You choose all the details—down to how the wood is finished. But don’t worry if you don’t have a specific design already fleshed out in your mind or on paper. We collaborate with you on the design and offer suggestions based on our experience, as well as on our knowledge of furniture construction and interior design.
Ready to Get Started on Your Live Edge Coffee Table?
If you’re ready to start the process of having a live edge coffee table designed and built, so are we! Contact us by phone or through our website to get started. We can’t wait to work with you!
