Pedestal Tables

Pedestal tables serve multiple functions. They will hold a plant, serve as a lamp stand, a convenient holder of that drink next to your armchair or in bygone days it was home for the ashtray.

A traditional design is shown in American black walnut. It stands 24 inches with a slightly lipped edge16 inches top. Other suggested woods for this traditional table includes Cherry, Mahogany and maple. Painted surfaces are appropriate. Pedestal design will vary slightly because of characteristic of the wood stock.

The original design for the pedestal shown on the feature image was taken from a 1927 Popular Mechanics project. It was described as if a giant reached down and gave it a twist. The feet, marble inlaid top and octagon shape were my design additions. This table is shown in American Black Walnut. It stands 24 inches and the top measures 14.5 inches across the flat face.

The twisted column (above) inspired trying to simplify the construction so that it did not require finding clear 4 inch square stock that was easily destroyed with a slip of the chisel or a hidden defect. After a few missteps, the twisted cannon design emerged. This table shown in hard maple stands the typical 24 inches. The 12 inches top shown on the third generation prototype was a practical consideration for the availability of stock on hand. It is recommended that this table is ordered with a 14 to 16 diameter top in any furniture grade hardwood.

A scalloped edge tray prototype made in red oak was converted to a pedestal table after a persistent request by a sister in-law. If you make sister in-law is happy by converting a tray into a table – the wife is happy – and that makes me happy. This top(tray) is 18 inches wide. If you want one, I would recommend a finer grade of furniture wood such as walnut, mahogany, cherry, etc that better reflects the design style.