The table had once been extending but the mechanism removed and the underside of the table extensively reinforced. The top had been refinished using a pigmented emulsion and then polishing over. I would assume this was to produce a dark mahogany effect with minimal effort but it hid the grain and figuring of the timber.
The client wanted the table to extend again to accommodate extra seating along the side. A new leaf was to be made. It was also to be refinished.
Research was made as to a suitable method of extending the table without incurring excessive expense. Some Hafele table extenders were found that provided 60KG of support each.
The old timber was removed from beneath the table and the sides cut and removed. The legs were reinforced.
The table extenders were fitted.
The top was stripped, coloured and refinished.
A new leaf was made in sapele and constructed to insert into the gap within the table top. It was then finished to match the rest of the table top. New table fittings were added to lock the table together once open and also when closed.
The client left a 5*review on Google:-
Mr Wall’s work is excellent. His brief was: take a large, unfashionable victorian mahogany extending table (of great sentimental value) that had been butchered and botched over the last 100 years, and bring it back to life. This involved installing a new sliding mechanism, making a new leaf, and french polishing the top.
Mr Wall discussed the options with me, was realistic about the potential, and we agreed a specification. His expert advice was sound and sensitively offered. He completed the job within the agreed timescale and his price was very good.
I was very impressed with the end product – the table looks superb, and the extension slides work smoothly, and is now a much better and more useful piece than before.
I can recommend Mr Wall as a first-rate craftsman who can be relied on to do an excellent job and who has a good customer manner. I will definitely use him again.