Shaker Picnic Table And Benches
Shaker cabinetmakers made the design of trestle tables more graceful by using arched feet and more convenient by raising the horizontal stretcher to allow for more leg room. This table was most likely first made at the Harvard, MA Shaker community in 1840, probably for use by the Ministry of that community. The original, which has a pine top, is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
This version is made affordable and durable by utilizing home center cedar, stainless fasteners, and white oak pegs and wedges for the table top and braces, respectively. We're sure that the Shakers would have approved of the combination. Note the separate cross-pieces, called "breadboard ends", which we carefully peg in place to prevent the top from warping. We coat both the table and the benches with two coats of teak oil after assembly for both beauty and durability. The legs of both the table and the benches are mounted on teflon glides to facilitate movement and, more importantly, to prevent moisture from wicking into the legs.
It's a stylish and affordable way to celebrate summer in your own yard.