Behind the scenes trips are one of my preferred perks of being a design editor. I had just such a trip recently and I’m pleased to share a sneak peek with you. recently my colleagues Meg Crossley, Sarah Hartill and I went to the Markham, Ont. finishing shop for Woodcraft, makers of solid wood furniture for much more than 30 years. The location features a large showroom up front, and in back is a busy hive of activity.
Woodcraft uses Canadian-grown and harvested pine, oak, maple, ash and cherry. The various components of tables, chairs and cabinetry are milled, turned and put together at another Canadian facility. then they are shipped to this location and await the next steps in the manufacturing process here, neatly organized on shelves. I just love the smell of fresh wood — certainly one of my top five preferred aromas.
This charm of a table caught our eye best away and we couldn’t resist touching it. The wood had a smooth satiny feel and we all agreed we’d like to see it finished with just some oil and wax. Woodcraft will customized finish any of its pieces, but provides 20 standard stain options as well. The same table (Jackson double Pedestal Table, from $1,360) is in the showroom in this yummy chocolatey stain. Trestle base tables are so versatile. Style-wise they straddle the line between country and contemporary with a small industrial edge. practically speaking they are great for accommodating numerous diners with ample legroom for everyone.
My preferred table is this one called the Pottery Table (from $2,410), which I found on the Woodcraft website. I love the large turned legs. I’m a lover of antiques, but I know from experience that the search for an antique table like this can take years — they are highly sought after. having one customized made makes a lot of sense. another reward is that this table can be made to extend and add leaves, which is rarely the case for antiques. I took this detail shot in the showroom of the extension mechanism that Woodcraft makes. It’s so beautiful and all wood!
Another preferred piece is the Homestead Buffet & Hutch. The one in the showroom is painted a fantastic warm white. I could picture this piece filled with ironstone in an unfitted country kitchen or with stacks of towels and pretty toiletries in a large principal bathroom. It’s the kind of piece you could own for a lifetime and use in numerous different rooms of a house.
See our Grand country houses gallery for much more timeless furniture choices.
Photo credits:1-3, 4b, 5. Margot Austin4a. Pottery Table, Woodcraft