Custom Dining Tables
Every dining table Groundwork builds is a custom dining table. You choose the size, the shape, the top, the base and the finish, and we build it by hand for your room, not a showroom. We've been making custom dining tables in Philadelphia since 1993, working with local artisans across southeastern Pennsylvania.
Start Your Custom TableWhat you can customize
Size. We build to your exact measurements: length, width and height. The tables we've built range from a 48-inch round to a 16-foot live-edge table.
Shape. Rectangular, square, round, elliptical oval or racetrack oval.
Top. Choose a hand-wrapped zinc top that develops a living patina, reclaimed wood, most often oak and pine, or a solid hardwood. We work with walnut, cherry, white oak and maple, all sourced from Pennsylvania mills whenever possible, and we've also built tops in red oak, ash, cedar, spalted maple and live-edge slabs. Tops can also be laid in a herringbone or hand-laid parquet pattern, or combine species, like our maple and walnut oval.
Base. Trestle, pedestal, four-leg or X base, in wood or steel. Our own designs include the Bistro, Bainbridge, Haverford, Chess, Craftsman and Sphere bases, and our sculptural root-style bases mean no two tables are alike. Steel bases are fabricated from flat and angle stock, or laser-cut sheet steel in any pattern you can imagine.
Finish.
- Walnut needs nothing more than a clear matte finish to bring out its deep chocolate color and purplish undertones.
- Cherry has a warm, russet tone that a clear finish brings out.
- Maple looks great as it is and takes stains in a variety of tones.
- White oak is the best choice for stains, from white to ebony and everything in between. Whitewash and cerused finishes are among our most popular options for oak.
- Bases can be painted in any color. Steel can be left natural with a coat of wax, or powder-coated in any of hundreds of colors.
Start from our gallery, or from your own idea
Every piece we show is a starting point. Pick a table that speaks to you, then make it yours with a different size, finish, material or all three. Or send us a photo, a magazine clipping or a simple sketch of something you have in mind. You can also add up to three pieces to a single inquiry from the gallery.
Why Groundwork
Groundwork was founded in the early 1990s by Brian Foster and Ernie Sesskin, out of a shared passion for architecture, antiques and timeless interior design. While much of the industry moved to mass-produced imports, Groundwork partnered with local artisans and suppliers throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Today that's a trusted workshop of woodworkers, metal fabricators and finishers. Every piece is designed and built for one client, so the result is a table you won't find anywhere else.
Featured custom dining tables
Sixteen tables from our gallery show the range: big and small, round and long, zinc, walnut, oak and live edge, on wood, steel and root bases. Each one was built for a specific client, and each can be your starting point.
108" × 44" racetrack oval zinc top on three white oak bases
A 108" × 44" racetrack oval zinc top is supported by triple sculptural white oak bases. The rhythmic base design brings warmth and visual balance to the expansive zinc surface.
72" × 30" live edge walnut on curved steel pedestals
A 72" × 30" live edge walnut top is supported by curved steel pedestal bases, blending the organic character of natural wood with sculptural steel. The flowing live edge preserves the individuality of the walnut, making each table unique.
72" × 48" maple and walnut oval on a walnut X base
A 72" × 48" elliptical oval top in maple and walnut is supported by a sculptural walnut X base. The contrasting wood species highlight the natural beauty and character of each, creating a bold composition.
72" × 42" white oak racetrack oval with oval legs
A 72" × 42" modified racetrack oval top and racetrack oval legs highlight the quiet simplicity of white oak with a clear matte finish. Soft curves and balanced proportions give the table a refined, understated presence.
72" × 36" cherry on white powder-coated steel legs
A 72" × 36" rectangular cherry top is supported by 1" × 1" square steel corner legs with a white powder coat finish. The slim steel base creates a light, minimalist profile that highlights the warmth and rich color of the cherry.
78" × 44" zinc oval on an orange powder-coated steel frame
A 78" × 44" elliptical oval zinc top is supported by a 2" flat steel frame with an orange powder coat finish. The bold base adds a vibrant contemporary accent, while the zinc surface develops a soft patina that becomes uniquely its own over time.
66" × 48" red oak Chess Table, double turned pedestals
A 66" × 48" rectangular red oak top with rounded corners is supported by double turned pedestal bases in a medium brown finish. We call it our Chess Table, inspired by the sculptural bases that recall classic chess pieces.
84" × 36" white oak with a hand-laid parquet top
This 84" x 36" white oak table has a hand laid parquet top that shows off the beautiful grain patterns of the wood.
84" × 42" white oak herringbone top on a steel scissor base
An 84" × 42" oak herringbone top with a white finish is supported by our 'scissor-style' base in darkened steel. The intersecting arcs add a sculptural element that complements the geometric herringbone pattern.
96" × 48" spalted maple oval on a painted Bainbridge base
A 96" × 48" elliptical oval, spalted maple top is supported by our Bainbridge style painted base. The dramatic figuring of the grain makes each table naturally one of a kind.
96" × 42" Ardmore table in opaque whitewash
Our Ardmore table shown here is 96" x 42" with an elegant opaque whitewash.
72" × 30" farmhouse oak table with cherry finish
This 72" × 30" farmhouse-style oak table with cherry finish has a simple, enduring design that works well in traditional, transitional, and contemporary interiors.
66" round, distressed white, turned pedestal
A 66" round top with a distressed white finish is supported by our turned pedestal base. The classic form works well as a center hall or dining table.
54" round white enamel on our Sphere base
A 54" round top with a white enamel finish is supported by our Sphere style base. The sculptural pedestal creates a clean focal point while giving this transitional design a refined presence.
192" live-edge paulownia on cedar root bases
This 192" × 24"+ live-edge paulownia table is supported by sculptural cedar root bases that celebrate the organic beauty of the natural wood. Each piece is one of a kind, with distinctive grain, edge contours, and character that make a dramatic statement indoors or out.
Solid ash top on a geometric steel base
The warmth of a solid ash top is balanced by a bold geometric steel base, creating a table that is both inviting and distinctly contemporary.
Shop by material
Shop by style
How ordering works
- Share your idea. Choose a gallery table as a starting point, or send a photo, clipping or sketch. Tell us your size and anything else we should consider.
- Design and refine. We'll review your ideas, respond with some thoughts of our own along with a sense of pricing, and go back and forth with you until the details are right.
- Place your order. We'll send an order form with the final price and lead time, so you have a clear, realistic timeline before anything is built.
- Built by hand. Your table is built to your exact specifications by partner craftspeople across southeastern Pennsylvania.
- White-glove delivery. When it's ready, we carefully transport it, bring it into your home and place it exactly where you want it.
Custom doesn't have to mean endless. Fully bespoke furniture can take a year or more, but most Groundwork tables are finished in a matter of months.
Start your custom dining table
Tell us your dimensions and the finishes or materials you like. We'll get back to you within 2 business days with questions and a custom quote.
Start Your Custom TablePrefer to talk? Call 215.790.0144 or email sales@groundworkhome.com.
Philadelphia, PA
FAQ
What can I customize on a Groundwork dining table?
Everything. We build to your exact measurements, and you choose the shape (rectangular, square, round, elliptical oval or racetrack oval), the top (zinc, reclaimed wood, or hardwoods like walnut, cherry, white oak and maple), the base (trestle, pedestal, four-leg, X, steel or root) and the finish.
Do I need a finished design to get started?
No. Click any table in our gallery to use as a starting point, or send us a photo, a magazine clipping or a simple sketch. We'll respond with some thoughts of our own and refine the details with you.
How long does a custom dining table take?
Fully bespoke furniture can take a year or more, but most Groundwork tables are finished in a matter of months. You'll get an order form with the price and lead time before you order, so you know exactly what to expect.
How much does a custom dining table cost?
Every table is priced to its size, materials and base, so we quote each one individually. Send us your idea through our inquiry form and we'll reply within 2 business days with questions and a custom quote.
Read our guide to what a custom dining table costs, and why.
Where are Groundwork tables made?
Groundwork is based in Philadelphia and has built custom furniture since 1993. Every table is handcrafted by skilled partner craftspeople across southeastern Pennsylvania, using Pennsylvania hardwoods whenever possible and reclaimed wood, most often oak and pine.