Relevant categories: Dining Tables
Oak refectory tables have been in existence for centuries and continue to be a necessity in homes, especially in dining rooms and kitchens. Due to their highly elongated nature, these tables were popular in monasteries during the Middle Ages. With time, they became a fixture in castles where they were used during banquets by kings and queens. Originally, the tables were manufactured exclusively by hand. Apart from oak, some of the tables were made from walnut.
In terms of design, oak refectory tables were made in conformity to the trestle-style. Apart from the top, circumferential stretchers are used to support the legs. Today, they are considered to be classic pieces of furniture that’s designed to be highly practical for home and business use.
Homeowners are rediscovering the functionality of these tables especially when it comes to decorating kitchens and dining rooms. For the discerning entertainer, having an oak refectory table is a must when hosting guests for lunch or supper. The popularity of these tables has come at a time when people are opting for a more open plan look to the home. After all, it makes a lot of sense to have a single space where you can socialize and eat.
Where Can You Find Classic Oak Refectory Tables?
Traditionally, oak refectory tables were made entirely by hand. Today, it is possible to find antiques from early centuries as well as specially-made pieces by modern craftsmen. If you want a classic table, you can find one on any of the online stores that stock classic furniture. Some are antiques while the rest are recently built but reflecting a style that has been in existence for centuries.
If you want to give your kitchen the country look, you may opt for a smaller refectory table. Classic in nature, it gives your kitchen the rare country look. It works well with a set of matching chairs which complete the country farmhouse look. Since most of these tables have survived centuries, they usually feature a patina you wouldn’t find anywhere else. These hand-made pieces of furniture are sturdy and hardly wobble.
However, oak refectory tables were not always made to be elongated. Some of them were round in nature and featured hand-carved pedestal legs. If you want a table to enhance the look of your kitchen or dining hall, you might consider buying this type of refectory table. These tables were made by master craftsmen to give you a more refined look.
History of Oak Refectory Tables
Originally, these kinds of tables were used in the refectory or a dining hall for monks in a monastery. Due to the huge nature of the refectories, there was the need to have a number of tables and not just one. Monks would sit around the tables and take meals together as one of them read scriptures from a pulpit. The pulpit was situated on one side of the refectory and could only be reached using a stone staircase.
In the succeeding centuries, Italian craftsmen adopted this furniture style in making oak refectory tables tailored for civilian use. By the late 16th century, the people of northern and central Europe were already using refectory tables in their homes and castles. A good example is the adaptation of the tables by French nobles towards the end of the 16th century. Around that time, German and Flemish people were also able to start using refectory tables.
Where Oak Refectory Tables Stand Today
To reiterate, oak refectory tables are a big hit when it comes to their usefulness in modern kitchens and dining halls. People can buy antiques or classics as well as freshly-made pieces of furniture. It is always better if you can find a handmade piece to use in your home.
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