The table in Stefano del Vecchio’s grandfather’s work room was perfect for the 20th century Italian artisan. Its sturdy construction could stand up to any type of work, and the dents and dings only added to its beauty.
When del Vecchio’s grandfather couldn’t use the table anymore, del Vecchio moved it into his personal home office. Surprisingly, the antique table felt right at home in the more updated space. Del Vecchio, a Pottery Barn designer, started thinking about its other applications — the worn patina, smooth surface and artisan construction felt like a natural fit for a dining table.
Today, this family heirloom lives on as our Benchwright Dining Table, one of our best selling items.
When designing the new construction, del Vecchio and the Pottery Barn team made sure that the Benchwright design would have the same worn look as the original table. Each table has pieces that are fine-sanded by hand and finished with a 12-step finish for a deep, comfortable patina.
“The mixed materials of the metal and wood really speak to the artisan heritage of this table’s original design,” says Pottery Barn furniture designer Brice. The metal turnbuckle in the middle supports the table’s slanted legs, and stays true to the original table’s hardware.
“This table is great because it doesn’t look like it belongs to a specific period of time, or style. It has clean lines, but it’s not modern. You could put this in a Napa house, a country house, a coastal house, or a city house,” says Brice.
Now, the Benchwright Dining Table is available in new sizes and finishes to suit every space.
Watch this video to learn more about the Benchwright design from del Vecchio himself.
We love our round Benchwright table. With the leaf added, we can seat a large group easily. We also have the long bench — perfect for the grandkids!