Looking for a new dining table? Consider one crafted in Canada | Canada Voices

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And while many of us will be sourcing local ingredients – turkeys raised in Ontario, B.C.-grown cranberries, Prince Edward Island spuds – the table itself can be just as patriotic as the meal.

Across the country, a number of Canadian designers and manufacturers are crafting beautiful dining tables from local hardwoods. Yes, it’s possible to serve Nova Scotia sweet potatoes glazed in Quebec maple syrup on a table fashioned from proudly Canadian maple timber. O Canada, indeed.

But choosing the right table is a bit like picking between butter tarts and Nanaimo bars and tarte au sucre – entirely personal, and everyone has a favourite.

According to Toronto architect Heather Asquith, an important factor is in the dimensions of the eating surface. For one, it should be just wide enough to facilitate conversation, while leaving room to lay the stuffing, without feeling overwhelmingly large.

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“You don’t want to be too close or too far away from the person across from you,” she says. “Between 36 inches and 38 inches is a good width for a rectangular table.”

The length, adds Asquith, depends on the number of dinner guests. “But seven feet is a good, versatile size for a rectangular table,” she says. “It’s not too long for a small group, but can still fit a crowd.” (Quick math: A seven-foot table comfortably seats eight; for every added foot or foot and a half, you can squeeze in two more people.)

Montreal architect Andrew Curtis has a clear preference on the material. “A natural, solid wood surface is a must for me,” he says. His own table is Danish modern teak, but if he were in the market today, he’d buy local.

“Everything Kastella produces is beautiful, warm and soft to the touch,” he says. “They exclusively hand-make each piece in Montreal from white oak, walnut or maple.”

Asquith agrees that wood is wonderful (she also seconds Kastella tables). “Wood is warm and has a nice, tactile feeling,” she says. “It can have a nice patina over time.”

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Wood can also be quite durable. Particularly a solid wood surface, which can be sanded and refinished when it takes a beating – say, from a toddler’s rattle or a guest who can’t remember to use a coaster.

The downside? Solid lumber is pricey, with real-wood options, especially those made in Canada, rarely costing less than $4,000. Wood veneers cost less, but can’t always be refinished, depending on the thickness of the veneer. Look for options where the veneer is at least one millimetre thick (many are less). EQ3’s Bon table for $3,500 is a good example.

The table’s supports are another consideration. Interior designer Maia Roffey says there are typically three options. Corner legs, offset legs and pedestals. While offset legs can have a sleek, modern look, corner legs and pedestals are better for fitting more people around the table,” she says. “You want people to be able to sit comfortably, not worry about where to put their own legs.”

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When shopping for a made-in-Canada dining table, consider the size, materials and leg configuration that will work best for your home. Here are six heirloom-worthy options.