Arts & Crafts Tile-Topped Table
When I first started building furniture, I learned a lot from reproducing original Shaker and Arts & Crafts designs. Measured drawings were often available, so I could learn how experts like Stickley would construct a table or chair and use these parameters for my own versions. I read about a Stickley side table that sold at auction for over $50,000 and was in awe.
What set the table apart was beautiful ceramic tiles made by Greuby Faince Ceramics company, which went out of business in 1920. The tiles allegedly used lead in the glazes which were richly iridescent, but possibly poisonous in the manufacturing process. The tiles used in this project are also beautiful and hand made, but were hand-made in the last year.
The Small Changes
The original design had twelve rectangular tiles and a shelf with distinctive pegged tenons and curved aprons. This design is smaller, using only six square tiles and has the pegged shelf tenons, with straight aprons instead of curves. The smaller scale is better for a wider range of rooms and would be great as a pair, flanking a
