Wooden Furniture

Following are answers to some of our more frequently asked questions. If you have a question which is not covered here, please feel free to email us through the Contact Us page.

Q. How much is a Dattner table?
A. It is a perfectly reasonable question however the answer is rather more difficult as so many of the tables are like original paintings. Many Dattner tables can be bought for as little as $4000 to $5500 whilst we have regularly made extraordinary tables that that have been more than $30,000! But expect to pay for a complete setting between say nine and fifteen thousand dollars which, incidently, is about par for the course for so-called quality furniture. The difference with ours, though, is astronomical.

Q. What about chairs?
A. We have gone to great pains to make sure that if you buy one of our tables then the chairs are not an issue. It is rare that someone needs to go elsewhere. The price of a chair, even more than a table, is subject to quality. Our chairs are unconditionally guaranteed and priced from around $620.

Q. What about extensions?
A. Generally we would talk people out of having extensions as they are rarely used and add considerably to the cost of a table. Interestingly enough the original purpose of extensions was the opposite to what is commonly thought - they were for the purpose of enabling large tables to be made small! Nevertheless, where you have a large family that gets together regularly, then of course extensions may be necessary. Most of the tables that we make typically seat eight and are often wide enough for two people at the ends.

Q. Do you ship overseas?
A. We certainly do and will only be to pleased to make the arrangements for you.

Q. Will Redgum look good on my Blackbutt floors?
A. Native Australian timbers tend to be typically yellowish or reddish. This is so with floors as with our furniture. The rule of thumb is this: Red timbers look great on yellow timbers and vise versa. However if you want to put a Redgum table on a Redgum floor then this is equally successful if you separate them with a rug.

Q. Are your timbers recycled? Where do they come from and what ones do you use?
A. Fifteen years ago, few Australians were familiar with native hardwoods (gum trees). Today they are so sought after that demand often outstrips supply. This is largely due to the popularity of natural timber floors. Large amounts of timber that have come onto the market is recycled. Typically pasts and beams from warehouses is the principle source. We do use timber from these sources but they are strictly limited as there are only so many timber buildings to be pulled down. The Redgum that we use is salvaged having being rescued in most instances from becoming firewood. They are typically old dead trees of between 250 and 500 years old. We also use a number of other native hardwoods such as Ironbark, Yellow box, Messmate, Bastard box, Red box and some exotic species like Huon Pine and Rose Mahogany. The issue of course is one of environmental accountability and the policy at ND's is the result of the pioneering work that we have done in this area.

Q. How are the tables made?
A. We do use machines, but effectively 80% of the making time is by hand. All our joinery is traditional - mortice and tenon, dovetail and edge laminating being some of the main ones.

Q. What are the tables finished with?
A. ND's have created our own polishing system as traditional ones were not tough enough for a modern lifestyle. The application technique we use is much the same as that used in French Polishing but the polish itself is a very hard wearing material that is an emulsion of polyurethane and naturally occurring oils and waxes. A Dattner table is the only one in Australia that is completely hand polished. The finished result has that deep rich glaze traditionally achieved with Shellac. Our chairs are polished with a different system we created that takes into account the often brutal effects of keys in people's pockets as well as enabling us to carefully match the finished table.

Q. Can you put hot things on the tables...and what about water?
A. You can put a freshly poured cup of coffee on one of our tables and it will not mark it. Water and almost any liquid will not harm your table for short periods of exposure (up to 24 hours). Nail varnish remover is about the only thing customers have had the odd problem with.

Q. How do I look after my table?
A. When you buy a Dattner table you will receive a comprehensive guide to care and maintenance as well as a complimentary can of beeswax.

Q. Do you make to order and how long does it take?
A. Yes, although in most instances you will fall in love with a table that is on the showroom floor particulary as many of these are one-offs. In many instances these will be available for immediate delivery. If this is not the case or if we make one to order then the lead time is between 10 and 12 weeks.

Q. Can your tables be delivered and positioned where I want?
A. Our tables are heavy because of the hardwoods we use in their manufacture, but they are regularly moved by qualified removalists and positioned wherever the customer wants. The tops are easily removed for manoeuvring in tight spaces.