Vintage Card Table

Bringing New Life to a Vintage Card Table

Designing a new solid Beech top

Herringbone style table top

Herringbone style table top

There’s something so rewarding about giving an old piece of furniture a fresh start! and that’s exactly what I wanted to do. This mid-century card table just got a fantastic makeover with a handmade wooden Beech top, swapping out the worn-out green baize that was once the norm. I could of course have just replaced the traditional green fabric or upcycled the folding table by giving it a few coats of paint, but that was too easy and would have not done this charming folding table any justice. Now, with its beautiful solid beech wood top, it’s got a fresh, modern look while still keeping all that vintage charm found in handmade furniture.

Material: Beech

Features: Herringbone styled design

Dimensions (Height, Width and Depth in cm): H ## W ## D ##

Dimensions (inches): H ## W ## D ##

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Commission me to make

Methodology & Inspiration

Herringbone Design

The idea for the herringbone pattern came from a love of traditional style and timeless craftsmanship techniques and for the love of geometric design. Herringbone has been used in flooring, textiles, and handmade furniture for centuries, known for its elegant and structured look. By incorporating this handmade pattern into the new top, the table gains a sense of movement and sophistication and being an utterly unique piece of handcrafted furniture, whilst staying true to classic design principles.

Unique Layout

The process of adding the new wooden handmade herringbone top required patience and precision. First, carefully selected beech wood staves were cut into uniform lengths and arranged in the classic V-shaped herringbone pattern. At this stage I made the decision to have a bit of fun with the pattern and to mix it up. As this was going to become a handcrafted and truly bespoke piece of furniture this was the ideal opportunity to create a unique table top.

Beech Staves

I milled up wider strips of beech, then some narrower staves and then created different shapes and angles culminating in the design you see on the current top. Each piece was then meticulously fitted together, glued down, and sanded to ensure a perfectly smooth surface. Once assembled, the entire top was secured to the original frame, seamlessly blending the old frame and legs with the new modern herringbone top.

Bespoke beech table top

Handmade Herringbone Inspired Table Top

1950's Folding card table with a new wooden top

This table has been given a new lease of life by adding a wooden herringbone inspired top
Stained Beech Herringbone pattern

Stained Beech staves

Stained Beech staves

The Beech was stained to bring out the natural grain of the wood
Folding table hinge

Original leg hinge

Original leg hinge that folds the legs inside the table top

Each leg folds neatly inside the apron of the table top which is excellent for storing away flat
Table top with herringbone design

Table top with herringbone design

One of the many handmade table top patterns

Each table top commissioned has an entirely different design.
1950's Card Table with new Herringbone top

1950's Card Table with original apron and legs

This card table has been given a new lease of life by adding a handmade bespoke Beech top

Each wooden stave was handcrafted and positioned in place to create a unique design.
Charcoal stain was applied over the Beech

Stained Beech enhances the grain

Charcoal stain was applied over the Beech to enhance the grain and modernise the piece

This solid Beech card table was given a modern contemporary make over

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A closer look

Still as Functional as Ever

One of the best things about this table is its clever folding leg design, which was kept just as it was. The legs tuck neatly underneath into the centre, making it so easy to store when not in use.

Whether you need an extra table for guests, a occasional side table, or even a new bespoke handmade games table, this card table is up for anything.

During construction of the table top I let my inspiration dictate the design and because of this it changed many times throughout the process. So now the finished result is truly a bespoke handmade top that blends old and new seamlessly.

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A Contemporary Touch

To make the wood grain stand out and give the table a modern twist, the entire card table including the legs were stained a light grey and then oiled.

This soft, neutral tone highlights the details of the herringbone pattern and makes it super easy to blend with any existing furniture and decor.

Since the original table was made from beech, it only made sense that I stick with the same wood for the new top. It’s a perfect match, keeping the table’s character alive while giving it a stylish refresh with a modern take on a Herringbone pattern.

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Timber selection for furniture making

Card Table

With this unique crafted new top, this 75-year-old table is ready for another 75 years of usage. It’s a wonderful example of how a little creativity can breathe new life into something old, keeping its story alive while making it totally functional for today’s homes. Old meets new in the best way possible, and we think that’s pretty amazing!

Beech timber, solid wood, handmade, bespoke furniture, Edinburgh furniture maker, local furniture maker

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Beech card table

Beech was chosen not only to match the original table but also because of its excellent properties. Beech is a strong and durable hardwood with a fine, even grain that makes it perfect for furniture making. It has a natural resistance to wear and impact, ensuring that this table will continue to stand the test of time for another 60 years and beyond. Additionally, beech stains beautifully, allowing the light grey finish to enhance its grain and bring out the details of the herringbone pattern.

Solid Beech, even grain, handmade Edinburgh, Edinburgh furniture maker

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