What’s the Benefit of a Live Edge Walnut Dining Table?
Thinking of owning a live edge walnut dining table? If that’s a yes, you are in for some awesome benefits associated with these gorgeous pieces of furniture.
While there are many manufacturers in the trade, finding reputable wood mills with first-rate products requires some deliberate digging. In any case, if you’ve not yet made up your mind about getting a piece of natural furniture for your dining room, perhaps this article will help you with that.
But before we get into the advantages, let’s take a quick look at where the live edge design originates from.
What’s the Origin of the Live Edge Design?
In the 1600s, American settlers needed functional furniture that won’t take too much time to construct. The quickest solution was to put together basic pieces of unfinished wood. That’s how live edge designs began.
These were cheap to construct, but they served the intended purpose. They were not aesthetically pleasing like the fine modern pieces today, but they retained the natural beauty of the wood slab and didn’t harm the environment.
Live edge furniture was quite fashionable in mid-century homes. The design was made popular by master craftsman George Nakashima in the 1940s.
He was known for his strong views about integrating natural elements into woodwork designs. It wasn’t long before other designers towed the same path and used imperfect wood to create near-perfect furniture.
Why You Should Get a Live Edge Walnut Dining Table
Live edge walnut dining tables are not cheap, but you probably already know that. Anyone remotely familiar with these uniquely crafted pieces of furniture understands that they come with jaw-dropping price tags in some cases.
But why should you invest in such expensive stuff? Here are some of the advantages that come with adding one of these fine pieces of furniture to your dining area.
1. Walnut is Durable
While many types of wood can be used to make live edge tables, a walnut slab is one of the most highly sought-after options for a couple of reasons.
First, unlike plywood or cheap MDF, walnut has raw strength. The Black Walnut is the most common walnut wood type used to craft pieces of live edge furniture (at least in the United States). With a Janka hardness rating of 1,010 lbf, this wood has a remarkable ability to withstand pressure, resist shock, and remain strong against wear.
Okay, in case the last sentence didn’t make any sense to you, here’s a simple explanation to help you understand it better.
The Janka rating of any wood species is the amount of force it takes to make an indentation of 200 sq mm on the material. This is measured in pounds of force (abbreviated as lbf). Put simply; a higher Janka rating indicates a strong and durable wood species.
Wood species with Janka ratings of 1,000 or higher are considered great for making long-lasting furniture.
Secondly, the grain in walnut wood is wide and straight. You can see the stunning dark grain and tell the age of the wood. Besides enhancing the material’s strength, the beautiful grain gives the piece a warm and welcoming feel.
To get a clearer picture of the above description, check out this rustic live edge walnut dining table with metal legs.
2. It Incorporates Classic and Contemporary Aesthetics
One of the best ways to fuse traditional and modern styles into an attention-grabbing décor is by adding a live edge walnut dining table to your dining area.
Of course, any live edge piece will stand out, but dining tables made from walnut woods are remarkably elegant, thanks to their straight grain and overall dark (and sometimes reddish) appearance.
This high-end Live Edge Walnut Dining Table is an excellent example of how a live edge design can bring the best of both worlds to your dining area.
3. Live Edge Furniture Combines Aesthetics with Functionality
A live edge piece of furniture does not merely enhance your home décor. Besides the visual appeal, these masterfully handcrafted artworks are also functional.
By buying the product, you own an item that can transform the look and feel of your living space and, at the same time, offer practical uses.
4. It Brings Nature into Your Living Space
Live edge furniture is a way to go if you’re a proponent of preserving nature or integrating natural designs into your home décor. Those who love the unspoiled beauty of the great outdoors can incorporate that natural look in their modern living spaces.
It is not surprising to experience reducing stress and anxiety levels when you spend time in nature. But you don’t have to live your life outdoors to connect with nature. By bringing a piece of natural furniture into your dining room, you create an environment that can potentially improve your overall wellbeing.
Think about it for a minute. The connection you feel to nature in the great outdoors is linked to what you see and hear as you spend time in the natural environment. Using a piece of furniture with those same physical features you see outdoors can trigger the same feelings you get in nature.
Your dining will feel more alive as you use live edge pieces instead of lifeless man-made materials.
The materials used to craft these pieces of furniture are sustainable products with a 0% VOC natural finish to top it all. That’s another way of saying the finish is environmentally friendly, so you will feel great about buying one of these pieces.
5. Live Edge is Timeless
Although live edge woodwork is witnessing a renaissance, the style has been around for centuries. That is a testament to its timelessness.
There would not be a time when your live edge walnut dining table will be deemed outdated because it will remain stylish just as it has from the very start.
In addition to being timeless, the furniture can complement just about any interior design, even in the most contemporary homes.
Protecting Your Live Edge Walnut Dining Table from Damage
Whether you buy a large table with a steep price tag or an insanely affordable live edge cutting board, you want to protect your natural wood pieces from damage.
One of the elements that can damage your live edge product is moisture. This is particularly the case with dining tables because they are at a higher risk of having water spills (we literally eat and drink on them!).
As you probably already know, natural wood is prone to mold and rot when exposed to excessive moisture or too much water without adequate protection.
To prevent this from happening, make sure your live edge walnut dining table has coasters to protect the surface from spills. Also, always dry the table thoroughly after every meal as well as after cleaning with a damp cloth.
Wrapping Up
A live edge walnut dining table is worth the investment, considering the many benefits it offers. Pieces of furniture handcrafted from walnut slabs will serve you for several years into the future, so you are not likely to need a replacement anytime soon unless you are looking to buy more pieces for the different spaces in your home.
If you are thinking of adorning your dining area with one, make sure you find a reputable manufacturer that guarantees their live edge products.
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FAQ
Still have questions regarding the benefits or use of a live edge walnut dining table? Read on for answers to some of the more commonly asked questions.
Are walnuts good for dining tables?
Yes, walnuts are great for making a variety of pieces, including elegant dining tables. Commonly called Black Walnut, the typically dark wood has a wide straight grain, excellent shock resistance, and exceptional durability. These qualities make walnut one of the highly desired woods for making rustic pieces of furniture.
What is the best wood for a live edge table?
There are a handful of options when it comes to the best wood for making a live edge table. The most common and stable types of woods for making live edge pieces are Black Walnut, Claro Walnut, and Redwood. You can also use black, red, or white Oaks. Other great options include maple and sycamore.
Is live edge furniture a fad?
Live edge pieces have been from the beginning of woodwork. In fact, it is the original woodwork style. Over the years, the style has seen tremendous improvements, and its popularity has skyrocketed. It has never been and will not be a fad. Instead, it is one of the most stunning and unique styles in woodwork.
What chairs go with a live edge table
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing chairs that match your live edge walnut dining table or any other live edge table, for that matter. That’s because the pieces are highly versatile in terms of style.
Consider a sleek leather chair with your table if you are looking to create a contemporary look. Upholstered chairs with soft curves or tufting can give off a more transitional style. If you prefer a rustic design style, consider paring your live edge table with a hand-forged iron chair with worn leather.