Famed French interior designer Jean-Louis Denoit once said, “Luxury is when it seems flawless; when you reach the right balance between all elements. Understated theatricality – that is what my luxury is all about.” Such a statement is quite apt for luxury dining tables, especially those finely crafted from hardwoods. Among the different hardwoods, walnut has been coveted by craftsmen and buyers for centuries for its workability, grain character and rich colour. With a beautiful finish that is seldom stained, it’s easy to see the appeal of a stunning and understated walnut dining table to complete a contemporary dining room.
The hardwood is known for its distinctive dark hue and density. However, it is not only coveted because of its appearance but also because of its resilience and longevity. With the right maintenance, a walnut dining table can last for generations. Walnut is one of the favoured hardwoods for leading woodworkers, furniture designers and carpenters across the world. As a consequence, it has become a byword for luxury tables.
The dining table is an essential piece of furniture which acts as the centre of activity during small, intimate parties and the place where you enjoy a meal with your family to cap off a busy day. Consequently, a luxury walnut table is recommended by designers for its ability to create a stunning culinary space for you, your family and guests. Over the past decades, we have built up our network of the world’s leading furniture brands and furniture designers, which has enabled us to become one of the leading providers of premium walnut furniture. In this feature, we will provide you with a complete guide to what you need to know when considering a walnut table for your home.
A luxury walnut table is a major purchase for any home, given that it will be part of your household for many years. Over the past decades, we have helped thousands of clients discover their ideal walnut dining table, and are intimately aware of the factors that go into the decision-making process. Our experienced team of designers have shared some of the more important things that ought to be part of your checklist before making a purchase.
While this consideration may seem obvious, it is necessary to know exactly how you can determine the right size. You need to allocate space around the table to facilitate easy movement. Our designers suggest a clearance space of a minimum of 90 cm is essential so that the dining chairs can be pulled out easily and it is possible to move easily around seated diners. Get the length and breadth of your dining area measured and then subtract 1.8 m from those measurements. That will determine the maximum size of the table that you ought to consider for your culinary space. If you’re short on space, consider going for an extendable walnut dining table.
Iconic British author Martin Amis once said 'Style is not neutral; it gives moral directions.' When you purchase a walnut table of a particular style you will want it to reflect your personal tastes and design sensibilities. The table should not only be a reflection of your taste, but also complement your larger interior design vision. For instance, if you prefer minimalist designs and have already decorated your interiors in that fashion a table designed in the minimalist style ought to be the right approach.
The grain pattern of a wood affects the strength, density and overall finish of any piece of hardwood furniture. Walnut is prized for its burl patterns, but can include crotch wood, cathedral and the more common straight grain pattern. These distinctive grain patterns are what make furniture made from this wood so attractive and unique, and by learning to identify these grains, you can be assured of your table's quality. Walnut wood is best known for its distinctive coffee or chocolate colour, however, if the outer layers of the wood are used for the furniture it may also come in light shades of yellow.
A wobbly dining table is nobody’s idea of luxury. Consequently, you need to look closely into the legs and support configuration of the table to ensure that it is a stable piece of furniture. Look for tables with sturdy construction and proper alignment at the crucial joints, like where the tabletop meets the frame. Make sure that the legs of the table are sturdy and can support the weight of the tabletop. FCI maintains stringent quality control over every piece of furniture we offer, so you can shop with confidence that any table you buy is of the highest quality and manufacturing standard.
The character and distinctive charm of luxury furniture are not only the result of using the best materials, but also the level of expertise of the designer brand or artisan working with them. We work with the best European brands and craftsmen, who are able to maintain a consistently high level of quality and reliability. Walnut is one of the most favoured and costly hardwoods for expert carpenters because it is particularly suited to high-end furniture. You can expect to see the skill of a craftsman in more than just the consistency of their work, but also in their selection and artful use of the naturally occurring features of the material they work with.
The right finish is essential to bring out the beauty of a walnut table. Our experts believe that the most popular finish for walnut tables is lacquer. Since lacquer is thin, it can penetrate deeper into the surface and provide greater protection. It is also durable, thereby protecting against damage. Lacquer is also a top choice because of how it accentuates the grain patterns of fine wood. Another option for walnut table finishing is linseed oil. As opposed to lacquer, it can penetrate deep into the material and creates a surface that maintains the wood's natural textures and appearance.
To maximise the striking quality of walnut, the table should be used as a focal point of your room. Both the size and shape can have an impact on the aesthetic arrangement. For instance, you may like a round table but it may get lost in a rectangular dining room. However, in a square room, a round or square table would shine as the main attraction. Our designers recommend oval or round tables for oblong areas. As walnut trees don’t typically grow very wide trunks, you’re unlikely to find cross-section tabletops that keep the natural shape. Even so, luxury brands offer bespoke tables that can have any form you prefer, be it nature-inspired or irregular shaped table.
Dining chairs complete the appearance of your entire dining setup and should be selected with care. While we do offer tables with matching sets, chairs that create contrast or enhance the opulence of your dining room are just as popular. We recommend wooden chairs to complement a walnut table, particularly if you want to highlight more of the natural grain. The rule of thumb when finding the right chairs is to maintain a distance of no more than 30 cm between the seat of the dining chair and the lower edge of the tabletop. Another handy aesthetic tip is to choose chairs with backs that are higher than the table top for maximum comfort.
As far as wooden furniture is concerned, solid wood remains the premium choice for luxury and elevates a piece from being high-end to opulent and luxurious. Made from a single piece of walnut, wood tables are not only known for their durability and strength, but also their distinctive consistency and patterning. Walnut tables not made from solid wood do not offer the same visual continuity, even though they may still be sturdy and durable. The best way to identify solid wood furniture is by following the long grain that will likely be visible through the length of the table. The grain may be varied and not patterned, which is a characteristic of veneer.
FCI London has more than 40 years in the luxury furniture and interior design industry, and we pride ourselves on being a trusted name creator of luxury interiors in London, both large and small.
Our longstanding relationships with the best craftsmen and designer brands from all over Europe are at your disposal, and we offer first-class delivery and installation of any product you purchase through us, ensuring that your experience is stress free and convenient.
Visit our 30,000 sq. ft. showroom, the largest luxury showroom in London, to discover, explore and experience a wide range of contemporary walnut dining tables, along with professional advice from a team of experienced and award-winning interior designers.
Utilise our complementary services like 3D Rendering, project planning, and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to make your design journey as seamless as possible, saving you time and effort wherever possible. Book your appointment today!
Our professional team is available to help you with every step of your decor project. Book a personalised visit and let's get the ball rolling on your new dining room design.
Transparency's kind of our thing.
Here's what real customers have to say about us.
