Simple, Stately, Dr. Seussly: Custom Tables and More by Pat Megowan Designer/Maker

For artisan Pat Megowan of Pat Megowan Designer/Maker, custom tables are a passion: “Custom dining tables, coffee tables, end tables, hall tables, from simple to stately to Dr. Seussly, I like them all.” Take a close look at the following selections from the Pat Megowan Designer/Maker portfolio on CustomMade.com.  These tables (and one stool) embody Pat’s design style and demonstrate his expert technique and the versatility, elegance, and whimsical touches you can expect in your own commissioned piece.

This beautiful cherry 3-plank trestle dining table came to be when the single source planks spoke to the artisan.  While preparing for the 2010 27^th Mid-Willamette Woodworkers Annual Guild Show, Pat heard the wood call out: “Me, me!” He took the wood and constructed the table based on a 5” tall model he had previously created.

Cherry 3-Plank Trestle Dining Table by Pat Megowan Designer/Maker at CustomMade.com. In the background, planks murmur their approval.

This design was also based on the artisan’s own trestle-style dining table he had built 30 years ago but includes some innovations.  The table has plenty of legroom, even at the ends, and the surfaces have been gently sculpted with a spokeshave.  (Check out the photos of the tiny model and the spokeshave in action on the project gallery page).  Versatile enough style-wise to go “from bagel to banquet” and from dining table to coffee table, this piece can be broken down in less than a minute to make moving easier.  Nevertheless, the table is built with traditional mortise and tenon joinery, and the trestle is fastened with barrel nuts, which means this is a very solid piece.  Read more about this “one week” dining table on Pat’s blog.

This wenge/walnut entry table wasn’t easy to make.  Wenge wood, Pat writes, “is a bit like a James Bond girl: exotic, beautiful … and deadly. Several dozen splinters peppered my hands while making this piece, but it’s hard to find fault with the result.”

Wenge/Walnut Entry Table by Pat Megowan Designer/Maker at CustomMade.com

Up close, the light brown stripes of the wenge blend with the rich brown of the figured walnut tabletop.  Further away, the black stripes of the wenge predominate and give the piece a dark chocolate color.  The drawers feature half-blind dovetail joints with sides made from brown English oak, which create another striking study-in-brown with the wenge drawer faces.

No, you’re not dreaming or on a private jet…. Well, probably not. Wenge’s deep black and tan striping creates stunning complements and contrasts with the oak and walnut in this entry table by Pat Megowan Designer/Maker at CustomMade.com.

This cherry library ladder has a dynamic, whimsical look, like it’s about to start walking.  There are practical benefits to this appearance, however.  The widely spaced legs make this ladder very stable and allow for a more gently sloping climb.  The full dovetail and mortise and tenon joinery on the steps ensure durability.  Based on a design from woodworker Simon Watts’ book, Building a Houseful of Furniture: 43 Plans with Comments on Design and Construction, this ladder can also serve as a stool and would make a wonderful addition to any room in your home where you need “extra altitude” with a playful attitude.

Cherry Library Ladder by Pat Megowan Designer/Maker at CustomMade.com

For custom wood tables and more, contact Pat Megowan Designer/Maker.  Need more inspiration and design ideas? Browse the custom tables and custom furniture galleries on CustomMade.com.