10 Easy Pieces: Wooden Outdoor Dining Tables

April 24th, 2007

When it comes to outdoor dining tables, the first impulse is to head straight to Smith & Hawken and be done with it. But a little sleuthing turns up some interesting options:

The Style Winners:

Our favorite by a long shot (and the most difficult to acquire, naturally): Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek’s outdoor teak table for 1,495 Euros at www.pietheineek.nl

A close second is the Design Within Reach Silver Collection rectangular dining table in teak and cast aluminum; $2,400 from dwr.com

The Sundance Catalog Reclaimed Barnwood Picnic and Benches is appealing; $995 for the set at www.sundancecatalog.com

Gartentisch acacia wood outdoor table ($950) from www.conranusa.com; the design was discovered in the archives of Gebruder Thonet Vienna, a company famous for its bentwood furniture.

Companion Gartentisch bench for $450 from www.conranusa.com

An interesting, angular take on the picnic table: Teak Parke Picnic Table from Arthur Lauer; $1460 assembled, $1420 flat plack at www.arthurlauer.com

Ethos rectangular table of teak and aluminum; 809 pounds at www.birstall.com

Square Teak Classic: The Bainbridge Gathering Table is five-foot-square and seats eight; $999 (or for $1,799 you get the table plus eight stools that conveniently tuck under the table when not in use) at www.thosbaker.com:

Round Teak Classic: Smith & Hawkin Devon Table 60″, $1369 at www.smithandhawkin.com

Rectangular classic for a bargain: Applaro drop-leaf acacia table; $139 from Ikea (in stores only); go to www.ikea.com to view.

Tasteful Stinson rectangular teak and brushed stainless steel table from www.restorationhardware.com for $1550:

For the Design Voyeur: When price is no object, the $7,500, 12-foot long Triple X-Base teak dining table from swanky Southampton shop Mecox Gardens; go to www.mecoxgardens.com