Don’t Call It a Comeback: Why Live Edge Dining Tables Are Trending Again
- Joe Ferrara
- Apr 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 27
Single slab vs. bookmatched vs. jointed, base options, wood species, and everything else you actually want to know.
Above: Scale: white oak single slab, Sound Designs New York, Glen Cove.
“Making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity” — Rick Rubin, The Creative Act
That quote has been rattling around in my head lately, because it describes live edge furniture perfectly.
The idea is one of elegant simplicity: leave the natural, wavy edge of the board intact. The tree does all the hard work. The woodworker’s job is to bring out what’s already there — choose the right material, prepare it well, and get out of the way.
And yet somehow, it’s the first thing guests notice when they walk into a room. They’ll reach for the undulating edge before they even think about it.
Live edge is just cool like that.
So let’s get into it — why live edge is trending (again), slab types, species, bases, and what to expect when you order.
Why Live Edge Is Having a Moment (Again)
To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Live edge dining tables have been with us for a long time (see my previous article on the history) and are not going away.
But they do come in waves. Maybe the reason it keeps coming back is simpler than we think.
Look around at the places we spend time in — offices, apartments, lobbies, stores.
Smooth. Uniform. Plastic. Predictable. Live edge is the antidote to all of this.
It’s got aura. It connects your home to the natural world.
Every slab is the product of a tree growing in a specific time and place, and no two are ever the same. You can read it like a book — especially if it’s bookmatched. (Sorry, can’t resist a dad joke.)
Single Slab, Bookmatched, or Jointed?
This is the question we get most from buyers who’ve done a little research. It’s worth taking seriously.
Single Slab — “Perfectly Imperfect”
One continuous piece of wood, from one tree, live edges on both sides. The premium option — you’re looking at a cross section of a tree that took eighty, sometimes over one hundred years to grow. Harder to source, sometimes comes with voids, metal stains, and checking. That’s part of what makes it extraordinary. Last year a client called hers “perfectly imperfect.” That about covers it.
Above: Bayville, Long Island: The "perfectly imperfect" single slab dining table in black walnut. Typical dimensions for a single slab table are around 96" in length by 41-43" in width.
Bookmatched
Two sequential slabs opened like a book, grain mirrored across the center seam. Symmetry and wildness in the same piece. Sits between single slab and jointed on price — and in our opinion, it might be the best of both worlds.
Above: Bookmatched katsura dining table, private residence, the Berkshires. Katsura is one of the rarest species we work with — prized for its fine grain and warm tones.
Jointed
Several pieces joined to achieve the dimensions you need — grain carefully matched, joints nearly invisible, live edges on both sides intact. Most flexible and most affordable. When done well, leaves nothing to be desired.
If the budget allows and we can find the right piece, single slab is worth pursuing. But a beautifully executed bookmatched or jointed table deserves to be judged on its own merits.
Choosing the Right Slab for the Job
If ninety percent of success is showing up, then it's certainly true that choosing the right slab for the job is ninety percent of the work. When you visit our Glen Cove shop, we pull slabs into good light and talk through what each one would look like finished. Can’t make it in? We’ll walk you through inventory on video. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Natural voids and cracks: Not defects — character. Can be filled with clear or tinted epoxy, or stabilized with bow-tie inlays.
Sapwood: The lighter wood nearest the bark. Some love the contrast; others prefer it toned down. We can work with either.
Width and Length: Know what you need before you fall in love with something that won’t fit.
Seven Wood Species for Live Edge Tables
Each wood has its own personality, its own strengths, its own story. Here are seven popular options for clients in the New York City Metro Area and the Hamptons.
1. Black Walnut
Black walnut is a premium material and offers rich chocolate tones with hints of red and purple. Hard, stable, looks great with a natural oil finish. If you’re on the fence, know that walnut has never been known to disappoint.
2. Claro Walnut
Black walnut’s West Coast cousin — native to Northern California, which means every slab that ends up in our shop has traveled a long way to get here. More figured than Eastern black walnut, with swirling grain and dramatic color variation. Commands a premium and is worth every penny.
3. White Oak
The interior design world’s reliable darling. Clean, open grain, light and airy — ideal for modern and minimalist spaces. We’ve found the perfect matte finish to keep the look crisp without the yellow.
4. Cherry
Seriously underrated. The same tree that produces bright red fruit produces distinctly reddish wood — warm pink and red tones you’d expect from exotic hardwoods. Gets darker and richer over time. A cherry table bought today looks noticeably better in ten years. If the red isn’t your thing, finishing techniques can soften it.
5. Ash
The underdog getting its moment. Bold pronounced grain, takes stain beautifully, and more affordable than oak. Unfortunately, the emerald ash borer has devastated ash trees across the Northeast but this means that salvaging this wood matters. Read more about it here.
6. Elm
Shimmering. The interlocking grain catches light in a way that’s hard to photograph and even harder to describe — you really have to see it in person. Warm, creamy undertones, distinctive figure. A conversation-starter for people who want something a little less obvious.
7. Hard Maple
The quiet professional. Light, smooth, almost silky. One of the hardest domestic hardwoods available — ideal for high-traffic pieces. Doesn’t have the drama of walnut or the figuring of elm, but it doesn’t need it.
All About that Base
The slab gets all the attention, but the base is half the piece. The same slab feels completely different depending on how it’s supported.
U-Shaped Legs: Simple, grounded, and unbelievably strong. Blackened steel or powder-coated. Reads industrial or modern depending on finish.
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Wishbone Legs: Graceful curves, sophisticated vibe. Standard in black and brass, but our finishers can paint them any color. A client recently asked for white — it completely changed the feel of the piece.
Trestle Base: Two supports connected by a stretcher, ideal for longer tables. Timeless presence — the base that looks like it’s been in the family for generations, because eventually it will be.
Custom Wood Base: Pedestal, sculptural form, or full solid wood. When base and top come from the same species, the piece starts to feel inevitable.
Statement Metal Base: Have an idea? Bring a sketch, a photo, or a back-of-napkin drawing. We’ve built a solid network of local fabricators eager to make it happen.
About Us
Sound Designs New York is based in Glen Cove, New York. Our live edge furniture is handcrafted, finished with non-toxic oils, and primarily made from locally sourced wood salvaged from downed and fallen trees on Long Island’s North Shore. In addition to local wood, we source materials from a trusted network of sawyers and suppliers to make sure we can give every client exactly what they’re looking for. Read our story here.
Can You Build a Table from a Tree on My Property?
Short answer: maybe. Give us a call or send an email with some photos and we’ll take it from there.
The Commission Process
It starts with a conversation — about the space, the people who’ll use it, the look you’re after, the budget you’re working with. No jargon, no pressure. We pull from current inventory or source from our network of sawyers. We’ll show you options in person at the shop in Glen Cove, or over video if you’re not local. We’ve sourced slabs for clients in Manhattan, the Hamptons, and across Long Island this way. Most projects take six to eight weeks; larger pieces can take longer. When the piece is ready, we provide white glove delivery.
How to Take Care of a Live Edge Table
Wipe spills immediately. Use coasters and trivets. Avoid harsh chemicals — for Odie’s Oil-finished tables (our preferred natural, non-toxic finish), a mix of 1 part white vinegar to 10 parts water and a soft cloth is all you need. One more thing: wood moves. Temperature and humidity changes cause solid wood to expand and contract. That’s normal. Maintain a stable indoor climate and your table will be fine for decades.
Sound Designs New York: Live Edge Tables, NYC & Long Island
Sound Designs New York is located at 40 Pratt Glen Cove, New York.
If you’ve got a project in mind — or just an idea, a photo, a feeling — reach out.
We deliver and install throughout New York City and Long Island, including the East End and the Hamptons. Occasionally, clients from further afield request white glove delivery as well and we are always happy to accommodate these requests for the right project.
sounddesignsny.com | (516) 946-6726 | joe@sounddesignsny.com
-Joe Ferrara, Founder
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