Case Study: Communal Tables for Residence Inn

At Table Topics, we’re always up for a creative challenge. Recently, we were approached with a new project to design and build a pair of communal tables for the Marriott’s Standards Program.

The requirements for the project were that the tables be counter height and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. The client also requested that the tables seat at least eight and include power and USB charging outlets, as well as be in the barnboard style with two separate color schemes.

As with every project at Table Topics our creative team started with the concept drawings to determine the look and construction details. From that, we created renderings, which gave our client an excellent visual of not only what the table would look like, but what different veneer patterns, stain colors, and leg cap materials would look like as well.

Once the design phase was completed and finishes were chosen, the fabrication phase began. Our team carefully handcrafted each and every detail, starting with the construction of the tabletop itself, hand laying multi-species, barnboard style veneers to give the table its desired look.

After finishing the assembly and applying the stain—which of course was finished with our exclusive AcralyteX coating to protect the tables for years to come—our team finalized the wiring details. And as usual, the final result was nothing short of stunning: one gray stained communal table with bronze leg caps and one communal table with brown stain and stainless steel leg caps.

It’s just another example of the skilled expertise of our team and the beautifully unique pieces we create. Give us a call today and let our team help you create your vision.

 

Custom Restaurant Tables

Restaurant Tables—we get it!  With all that comes with designing, opening, and maintaining a restaurant, customizing your restaurant tables doesn’t always rank at the top of the priority list.

However, restaurant table tops do play a big role. Think about this: The table is the only piece of restaurant furniture that is about 12” from your patron’s face during the entire dining experience.  Why not take the time to make your restaurant tables, bar tables or communal tables represent you and your style? (Not to mention the oodles of menu item selfie pics that will be taken with your tables in the background!)

At Table Topics, we can help you create the custom tables that are right for you, stay within your budget and give you the tables that will last.

Using our in-house design team and our superior customer service staff, we can help you create the restaurant table tops that are right for you. We make it easy. We start with simple ideas and help walk you through the design process. From simplistic to over the top, we have helped create restaurant furniture that makes a restaurant truly one of a kind for almost 40 years.

Once we have the table style determined, we need to make sure we stay within your budget. We are not just being nosey when we ask budget questions. We are trying to make sure that we are providing a product that is within your budget and, if not, then we want to be able to provide Value Engineered options for you. These are not “lesser” tables. These options would be just that—options.

So, we have restaurant tables that look great and are within budget. Now, we need to make sure they last. Table Topics applies our proprietary AcralyteX finish on all the restaurant table tops, bar tables and communal tables that we manufacture. This finish is scratch, heat and chemical resistant. Which means that your tables will have an increased Appearance Value. Simply put, the tables will look better longer. This is a hard, durable finish that still appears rich and warm instead of a plastic look that is often associated with hard finishes.

Table Topics was founded on the idea of creating quality restaurant tables that are both truly unique and will last for a long time. Rest assured that you will get a fitting design accompanied with the quality that will ensure your tables look great for years to come.

Stop By And See Us At These 2019 Trade Shows

2019 is in full swing, and so is this year’s trade show season. We have these five trade shows on our roster … so far! Stop by and see us a these shows:


 

The Hospitality Industry Network Design Expo - Restaurant Tables

NEWH Leadership Conference – NEWH Miami

  • Booth 617
  • Thursday, February 7, 2019
  • JW Marriott Marquis, 255 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL, 33131
  • Show Link: newh.org/events

Country Club Managers Show ( CMAA) – Nashville

  • Booth 1018
  • Feb 24-28
  • Music City Center, Nashville, TN
  • Show Link: cmaa.org

2019 Hospitality Design - Las Vegas - Restaurant Tables and designs

2019 Hospitality Design – Las Vegas

  • May 15-17, 2019
  • Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
  • Show Link: hdexpo.com

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo - Restaurant Tables for Cruise Ships

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo – Miami

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo (#CSIE19) is the world’s first and only event to focus exclusively on the interior design, architecture, and outfitting for the cruise industry.


Boutique Design New York ( BDNY ) 2019 - Restaurant Tables and bar table designs

Boutique Design New York ( BDNY ) 2019 – New York

  • Booth 2610
  • November 10-11
  • Jacob K. Javits Center, New York, NY
  • Show Link: bdny.com

Brand it your way!

There are so many reasons to incorporate an image on a table. You may need to show a logo/brand on a communal table or restaurant tables. You may need an ADA emblem to mark which tables are compliant.   You may have custom artwork that matches other pieces of the project. Your bar tables may need an update. Whatever the reason, there are options for each situation.  We want to guide you through these options to not only make the process easier next time you place an order but maybe mention some options that you may not have considered.

There is the Print Option. This option allows you a bit more creative freedom than some of the other options. With Print, you can choose not only color but a pattern. With print, you can also create shadowing effects to allow for your image to look old, worn, dimensional or even burned. This option works great on veneer tables as well as solid wood tables.

Another option is Paint. Paint allows you to choose the color and influence the mood, and also include metallic colors like silver, gold and copper. You can determine how saturated you want the paint – do you want the wood grain to show through the paint or have it completely saturated to where no wood grain shows through? You can scuff the paint to again create the old or distressed look. This application also works well for both the veneer tables as well as solid wood tables.

Custom designed carved restaurant tableA more expensive, but always beautiful, choice is the Carved/Routed Option. Your image/ logo etc would be carved with a CNC router onto the actual table. We would work with the other specifications of the table to make this route as shallow as necessary to avoid a “crumb catcher” situation. This could be as simple as ADA lettering or more elaborate – like your logo. This option works best with solid wood tables, but can also be done on other styles.

Whether you choose print, paint or carved, the tables will all have our AcralyteX finish. Our AcralyteX finish provides scratch resistance, heat resistance and chemical resistance to your tables. So, have it your way with the most durable, custom table finish available. We specialize in hospitality tables and are excited to work with you on all of your table needs.

Reimagining Rustic

It’s no secret that rustic has realized tremendous popularity in the last few years. And why not? Reclaimed wood is not only beautiful but it is great for the environment in that it saves energy and reduces timber harvesting.

But when it comes to actual hard use in a Commercial or Hospitality environment, reclaimed wood does present a few serious challenges.

One is the cost. Because of sourcing, sorting, and the required reworking of the wood to make it usable, the cost is more than typical wood products.

Another common challenge is availability. Often times, you are able to find what you love, but just not enough. You have to be careful when you do find that perfect wood with enough pieces to complete your project as there is a high probability that it was originally treated with chemicals that are now deemed toxic.

That leads us to cleaning and care. Reclaimed wood is full of character and charm that presents itself in the way of cracks, splits and weathered boards that are beautiful, but also “crumb catchers” or “dust traps”. We want you to be able to have the character and charm, but still have the Acralyte finish that allows you to clean the tables with anything from Windex to the degreaser you use in the kitchen.

Despite the challenges that come with using reclaimed wood, the good news is that Table Topics can give you the rustic look you want without the actual reclaimed wood limitations and challenges. We utilize sustainably harvested wood, which allows us to create that rustic style in a way that’s nearly identical to reclaimed wood. Reimagining rustic allows you the opportunity to determine the degree of rustic you want as well as what rustic options you like (or don’t like). We will help you choose nail heads, cracking or peeling paint, a worn or weathered look, as well as, the degree and style of distressing. You can also add a touch of modern to your rustic tables with so many options for power and data ports.

Perhaps one of the best parts about our ability to create the reclaimed wood look is that along with the rustic style you can also have the Acralyte finish. Acralyte is chemically engineered to achieve greater scratch, mar, chemical and heat resistance than the traditional furniture finishes like epoxy resin, polyester resin, urethane and conversion varnish.

So with all of the options available with Table Topics, who needs the difficulties that come with reclaimed wood? Go the realistic route. Give us a call today to start the process for your reimagined rustic tables!

What You Should Consider

The entryway into a business or restaurant is a significant space. It’s where a first impression by a potential customer will be created. That’s why making sure the space—especially the furniture—isn’t just functional, but also aesthetically pleasing. Communal tables are a big part of making that positive first impression happen, and over the years we have designed dozens of communal tables for clients of all types and sizes. In fact, we are in a number of major hotel chain’s standards programs.

Are you thinking about adding communal tables to your space? There are a few aspects that need to be considered when ordering these tables, and our experts at Table Topics can help walk you through each step of the process. Our in-house designers can work with you to ensure that your specific design will be achieved while also maintaining needed functionality in highly trafficked areas. Once we have your design, our team will actually create detailed drawings of your table for you to review and approve or make any needed changes.

Whatever design idea you have in mind, we can create it. We have multiple base options—from wood and metal to a blend—that can be produced at custom heights ranging from standard dining height to bar height (including tables that meet ADA requirements) and all sorts of materials, including solid woods, veneers, custom graphics, and faux stone. Want unique options included in your table? No problem. We can incorporate power, data, and USB options into many tables to increase functionality. And, of course, we will finish up your table with our industry-leading Acralyte to keep it looking like new for years to come.

Check out one of our most recent custom projects: a digital Carrera marble three-inch thick table top with custom hand painted edges to match the digital top. That’s on top of a base that mixes custom red oak turned legs and black galvanized metal stretcher and fittings.

So whether you are looking for a communal table that’s sleek and sophisticated or fun and unique, we are here to help. Positive first impressions can only be made once. To make sure that happens with your customers, give us a call. Our talented table experts are ready to make your design idea a functional reality.

 

 

Bank of America: A Case Study

Each and every Table Topics table is unique, but the process remains the same. Our team of woodworkers takes incredible care to expertly handcraft whatever the order may be so that we more than meet the needs and expectations of our clients.

 

One recent project our Table Topics team completed as a custom order for Bank of America. The job started with the preliminary design phase, where we created detailed sketches for the type of unique tables needed, then put together renderings of the final product. We also sat down with our client to talk through the type of materials to be used.

 

Once materials are approved and the renderings are OK’d, we began the design phase. Unique to that stage was that we created a digital tile reproduction to show exactly what the final outcome would look like, which let us and our clients decide if any layout changes or modifications needed to be made.

Once the design was finalized, we began determining how that final design would be mounted and electrical would be incorporated—this ensures no surprises or problems in the end product. Then from there, we began the actual fabrication of the tables. We printed the tiles, starting assembling the tables with solid walnut frames, fabricating all of the needed mounting and suspension hardware that would be needed, and created the required cutouts for the lighting and charging stations that were going to be added to the tables. And of course, before the process was complete, we stained and finished the table with our very own state-of-the-art Acralyte, which ensures these tables will look great and last for years to come.

Once these beautiful tables were completed, we coordinated installation with our client. Even though we do this every day, seeing the finished product installed was so exciting because once again we were able to bring a specific vision to life for a client. Do you have a unique design idea in mind? Why wait? Give us a call today and we can put this process to work for you!

Visit Us At This Year’s HD Expo in Las Vegas, May 2-4

At Table Topics, we’ve spent decades crafting only the highest quality custom commercial dining tables, and we’re excited to announce that we will once again be bringing these products to the upcoming Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo) in fabulous Las Vegas.

To be held May 2-4 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the HD Expo is the industry’s leading hospitality conference and trade show, and it’s an event known for showcasing new products and services for the hospitality industry.

In Las Vegas, we will also have a hands-on test for attendees to see up close just how special our exclusive Acralyte finish is for commercial tables. Acralyte is an acrylic resin that is chemically engineered to provide greater scratch, mar, chemical, and heat resistance than traditional furniture finishes (like epoxy, resin, polyester resin, urethane, and conversion varnishes). To illustrate that, we will have a scratch test set up in our Las Vegas booth for anyone to test the industry-standard urethane top against our Acralyte finish.

Attendees to our booth in Las Vegas, will also get a chance to speak directly with three of our team members who have all been with our company for more than 10 years. Hayden Powell (president), Melissa Land (director of sales and marketing), and Tammy Allen (customer service) will be available and ready to chat with anyone wanting more information about our unique design capabilities.

So don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to visit with us and see the latest tabletops at our booth in fabulous Las Vegas, #2822, at Mandalay Bay! We look forward to seeing you there!

Email Melissa Land at melissa@tabletopics.biz if you’d like to connect at this year’s expo.

 

The Benefits of Acralyte

At Table Topics, we’ve been in the business of creating only the highest quality custom commercial dining tables since 1980. That quality continues to shine through in all of our products with our invention of Acralyte.

Available exclusively through Table Topics, Acralyte is an acrylic resin that is chemically engineered to provide greater scratch, mar, chemical, and heat resistance than traditional furniture finishes (like epoxy resin, polyester resin, urethane, and conversion varnishes). Ideal for both restaurant tables and bars, Acralyte is available in all sorts of levels or sheens, or for practically any need or application:

Like many of our customers, we were tired of seeing beautiful tables rapidly deteriorate because of the poor quality of epoxy resin finishes. So we got to work, spending years doing research and testing for better alternatives because we knew there had to be a better way. What makes Acralyte different? It’s that it’s so much more than just a chemical coating. It’s an entire manufacturing process that includes everything from the materials used in the product to the product operations, which aren’t the typical standards for furniture manufacturing. We utilize a rigorous production process that is tightly monitored and controlled, ensuring an end product that is unmatched in quality.

Not only does Acralyte help produce high quality products, but products coated in Acralyte are more durable. When properly cared for, products with Acralyte will consistently outlast a similar style table that doesn’t have the Acralyte finish. In fact, while a similar style table may have a product life of one to two years, our tables with Acralyte are expected to last at least five to seven years—in many instances they last 10 years or more.

Cost effectiveness, quality, and durability are just three of the reasons why more and more businesses are turning to our Acralyte line of products for their table needs. Contact us today to find out how we can work with you to help you create the look you want while saving you money.

The Value and Variety of Veneers

 

Veneers are excellent products for bringing the beauty, character and personality of your chosen wood species to life. They also offer several benefits over solid wood. In most cases, a veneer is more affordable than solid wood, offers responsible access to scarce species and gives our craftsmen the ability to create patterns and designs not available in solid planks.

Table Topics offers a large selection of veneers. Whether you’re looking for variations on light,  medium or dark wood, you’ll find dozens from which to choose.

Whether you prefer a classic old world look, the stunning look of a rare wood or a more intricate pattern combining a variety of species and our outstanding marquetry, you’ll find plenty of variations to spark your own creativity.

When you’re ready to create your tables, our specification guide is a great tool to help move you through your design process. Or if you’d rather, contact us today and our team will work with you to design the product you need with the look you want.

Why Use Digital?

With today’s trends toward natural materials, some may wonder why digital table top designs are so popular. Digitals offer many advantages, both in options for design and best use of resources. At Table Topics our expert design team will work with you to perfect your vision. Our expert production team will deliver the product you want to the specifications you need. Our outstanding products and processes will ensure the highest quality and long-lasting value.

 

Take a look at these five digital standouts:

Look through our catalog for even more examples and ideas. You can request a quote or contact  us today to start the conversation about your beautiful digital design. Let’s talk tables.

The Acralyte Finish – Durabilty with Design in Mind

Communal_pipe

Table Topics has built a reputation for outstanding designs and quality craftsmanship. While these striking elements are crucial to the appeal of your tables, there’s one more reason you’ll want to invest in our products. Our most significant design element is Acralyte, our proprietary finish. More than a coating, Acralyte is a process. It’s a process we’ve honed through years of research with clients and engineers around the world to address the wide variety of needs our clients have and to offer them lasting value.

 

The materials, the processes, the monitoring and the commitment are all unique to the Table Topics production philosophy. The result is a product with excellent chemical, scratch and heat resistance. Acralyte consistently outperforms epoxy, polyurethane and varnish finishes. Clients find that, while beautiful upon delivery, it’s the performance of our tables months and years down the road that truly sets them apart in terms of durability and, ultimately, value.

 

Because it’s impervious to cleaning chemicals and alcohol, an Acralyte finish doesn’t get gummy. It’s engineered to achieve greater scratch, mar, chemical and heat resistance than traditional finishes. Even under the demands of the hospitality industry, our tables consistently stand the test of time. The result is a longer product life and less time, effort and cost to you and your clients in repairs and replacement.

 

As with all elements of our process, we will customize your Acralyte finish. Our full-filled Acralyte finish results in a thick resin look and is available in matte, satin and gloss. Our thin, Acralyte Lite finish looks gorgeous on solid woods and veneers; it is available in satin or matte.

Marble Sun table 1080x720Walnut veneer table 1080x720metal

Since 1980, Table Topics has offered quality, custom products designed for the individual needs of our clients. Acralyte has become a mainstay in that process and it’s one of the elements that sets Table Topics apart. A superb finish, unmatched in quality and durability, you’ll only get Acralyte here. Our design team  is ready to talk about how we can work with you to get the look and finish you and your customers will enjoy for years to come.