© Courtesy of WCVB Boston View of the Heirloom Table Company showroom on Route 53 in Hanover, Massachusetts .In a medium-sized workshop on the south coast of Massachusetts, old wood finds a new use.
The restoration comes from the skilled hands of Chris Benson, owner of Heirloom Table Company, a self-proclaimed family business that creates unique custom-designed farmhouse tables.
Subscribe to our newsletter"Most of our woods are reclaimed antiques like chestnut and white pine," says Benson.
Benson started his business in Cape Cod several years ago. He opened a combination workshop/salon on Route 53 in Hanover in 2021 and hasn't stopped since.
"Every year, depending on the year, you see anywhere from 75 to 100 tables a year," says Benson.
Most tables are 6 to 10 feet long, and Benson says each table is unique because each reclaimed wood is different. The beauty of the tree is first shown to the customer during the selection.
"We put some mineral spirits on top, and this top just mimics what it would look like with urethane," Benson said.
After the top is selected, Benson guides the customer through choosing the wooden legs and support base.
In addition to customization, Benson says what separates the heirloom desk company from big-box furniture stores is access to rare species of reclaimed wood.
"Our specialty is chestnut — a rescued American chestnut. It was destroyed by misfortune in the early 1900s," he said. "Now it's called endangered. You can't ask for it from lumber. The only way to get it is to save buildings that were built 100-200 years ago."
Benson's goal was to create a table that would last a century or two, and when the award was handed out, the joy of knowing his hard work would be appreciated by future generations came.
"When I showed up and it was done the way they designed it, I thought it was amazing," he said.
An Heirloom Table Company piece can cost thousands of dollars, but it could be the last table the customer buys.
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