This table was originally developed in collaboration with a French baker and chef who wanted three large dining tables – one for himself and one for each of his two daughters. We decided to use some of the cherry logs he had recently cut from his property in northern Vermont. Using time-honored methods, I supervised the milling, seasoning and drying of the wood. The final result was three substantial cherry, trestle tables with 2” thick polished table tops and heavy trestle undercarriage with 5” x 5” stretchers and hand wrought iron banding and bolting.

While two of these tables still reside in America, one was crated and shipped to his daughter in France. The crate was large and it took several months and several detours (tracking had it at one time in Frankfurt and at another in Spain), before it arrived on a tiny village road in France where was transferred to wagon cart for the final leg of the journey.

Word had leaked out that “the wood from America had arrived” and the entire village gathered in a barn with wine, etc. to witness the uncrating. The reports back were all positive and many an enjoyable meal has since been served on “the wood from America.”