Live Edge Dining Tables
The live edge dining table is our signature piece. We build each one from a single slab of American hardwood — walnut, spalted maple, cherry, or white oak — sourced from mills within 200 miles of our Brooklyn workshop. Every table is designed to order: clients choose the wood species, slab selection, base style, dimensions, and finish. We make live edge tables for residential dining rooms, restaurants, hotel lobbies, and corporate boardrooms.
Wood Sourcing and Preparation
We source American black walnut, spalted maple, cherry, oak, and other hardwoods from mills across the eastern United States. Our primary supplier is in Pennsylvania, within 200 miles of our Brooklyn workshop. All wood is certified sustainably harvested.
Each slab is air-dried for up to two years, then kiln-dried for an additional three months to remove residual moisture. After that, the slabs acclimate in our workshop for about a month before fabrication begins. This slow process prevents warping and cracking over the life of the table.
Every live edge table is sealed with multiple coats of deep sealer and protected with finishing topcoats. This process brings out the natural grain patterns and color variations in the wood — especially prominent in our black walnut slabs. The goal is a finish you can feel the grain through, not a heavy lacquer that hides the wood.
Live Edge Table Product Specifications
Every live edge table is made to order. We build single-slab and double-slab dining tables, conference tables, coffee tables, and console tables — each designed to the client’s specific layout, use, and aesthetic.
Clients share their size requirements, wood preferences, and design direction. From there, we produce a 3D rendering before fabrication begins. This lets you see the table — slab selection, base style, and proportions — before we cut anything.
Here are the general specifications:
Tabletop
The tabletop is made from live edge American black walnut. If clients prefer, we also have tabletops available in maple, cherry, and oak. Rather than cutting the wood into a strict rectangle, we keep the naturally occurring shape of the material to give the piece a distinctive feel. This is how the raw edge table displays a unique, singular, design.
Base
Clients choose from several base options in wood, metal, stone, or concrete. Metal bases are available in blackened steel, stainless steel, or brass. See base styles below, or contact us for a full list.
Dimensions
Our single slab tables are typically 70”–168” long by 30”–60” wide. We are happy to adjust these measurements according to specific architectural requirements, making the live edge dining table larger or smaller upon request. SENTIENT can also manufacture double slab tables where the live edge wood is placed symmetrically to maintain a continuous grain and provide for a wider tabletop. We can also add solid wood boards in between, making the raw edge table even wider.
Location
Every table is made in our workshop in Brooklyn, New York.
Turnaround time
Live edge tables typically require a six to ten-week lead time, depending on slab availability and the level of customization.
Shipping our live edge dining tables
We deliver locally across the Northeast and ship nationally and internationally through vetted freight partners. Tables are crated for safe transit.
Wood Species & Material Options
Black Walnut
Maple
Teak
Ebonized Oak
Spalted Maple
Bleached Oak
Distressed Oak
Oak
Stone
Reclaimed Oak
Concrete
Specialty Finishes
Table Top Styles
Center-Joint Classic
Signature Multi-Board Classic
Single Slab Classic
Center-Joint Live-Edge
Signature Multi-Board Live-Edge
Single Slab Live-Edge
Leg options for the Live edge dining table
Base options include wishbone legs, canted legs, V-legs, trapezoid legs, and solid wood frames. Metal bases can be finished in blackened steel, stainless steel, or brass. We also build custom one-off bases from client drawings. See our guide to live edge tabletops and legs for more options.
Base Styles
Canted Base
T-shaped Base
Frame Base
Wishbone Base
V-shaped Base
X-shaped Base
Metal Finishes & More
Polished Steel
Bare Steel
Gold+ Leaf
Brushed-Brass
Weathered Steel
Brass
Blackened Steel
Solid Wood
Live edge wood table
design and fabrication
Each SENTIENT live edge table is designed and fabricated after discussions with the client
The process starts with a conversation. Clients share their size, wood species, leg preference, and any design references. We then produce a 3D rendering showing the slab selection and base configuration. Clients approve the rendering before we begin fabrication. Live edge tables take longer than our standard solid wood dining tables because of slab selection and custom fitting.
Client input shapes every decision — from the slab’s grain orientation to the edge profile and finish. We encourage studio visits so clients can see slabs in person and feel the wood before committing.
Final finish and quality assurance
Our mission is to reveal the natural character of the wood, not cover it up. We’ve developed a water-based clear finish specifically for live edge tables. You can run your hand across the surface and feel the grain through the seal. The process involves multiple rounds of sealer, topcoat, and sanding — each layer building depth without adding bulk. The result is a clean, minimal finish that protects the wood while keeping its texture and warmth. Read more about live edge table care.
After fabrication and finishing, each table is fully assembled and inspected in our workshop. Once approved, the tabletop is separated from the base, wrapped, and either scheduled for local delivery or crated for shipping outside the Tri-state area.
Pricing and Inquiries
for the Live Edge Dining Table
Whether you’re ready to start your live edge table project or want to learn more about pricing, get in touch. Visit our studio at 276 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn to see slabs in person. Browse our live edge collection and epoxy river tables for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a live edge table?
A live edge table is made from a solid wood slab where the natural outer edge of the tree is preserved rather than cut straight. This gives each table an organic, one-of-a-kind shape. Live edge tables are most commonly made in walnut, but we also work in maple, cherry, and oak.
Does SENTIENT make a live edge kitchen table?
Yes. We build live edge kitchen tables in smaller formats with the same wood species, base options, and finishing available on our dining tables. A kitchen table can match the dining room piece or use a contrasting wood or finish to stand on its own.
Does SENTIENT make a live edge dining room table set?
Yes. We can match your table’s wood species, finish, and design language across dining chairs and benches. Live edge benches pair well with slab tables. For chairs, we typically recommend solid wood frames with upholstered seats for comfort, matched to the table’s wood and finish.
Why is the live edge black walnut dining table so popular?
Live edge furniture entered the mainstream in the mid-20th century through George Nakashima, a woodworker and architect who championed the raw edge as a design element. Today, walnut is the most popular species for live edge tables because of its rich color, dramatic grain patterns, and natural warmth.
From a technical standpoint, American black walnut has excellent dimensional stability, high tannin content, and moderate porosity — meaning it absorbs finishes evenly and resists warping in changing humidity. These properties make it reliable for large-format dining tables.
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STUDIO & WORKSHOP
276 Greenpoint Avenue
Building 9 Floor 5
Brooklyn, NY 11222
1 (347) 309-6217
Studio & Gallery: 276 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222, Phone: 1 (347) 309.6721
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