Holiday gatherings have a way of transforming the dining room into the heart of the home. It is where family members reconnect, friends share stories, meals are passed around the table, and celebrations continue long after dinner has been served. Because the dining table plays such an important role during these occasions, choosing one that combines practical functionality with distinctive craftsmanship can make a meaningful difference.
The Lumber2Love Briggs Dining Table Brass Inlay is designed for exactly this type of environment. Handcrafted in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Briggs combines a solid hardwood tabletop, clean modern lines, expandable seating options, and distinctive brass inlay details on its legs.
Rather than being designed exclusively for special occasions, the Briggs is intended to work equally well for everyday meals and larger celebrations. Its expandable configuration makes it possible to accommodate additional guests when the holidays arrive, while its refined appearance allows it to remain a sophisticated centerpiece throughout the year.
Why the Dining Table Matters During Holiday Gatherings
Holiday meals are rarely just about food. The dining table becomes a place where people talk, laugh, exchange gifts, share traditions, and spend time together. A well-designed table therefore needs to do more than look attractive. It needs to provide enough space for guests while remaining comfortable and practical for everyday use.
This is where an expandable dining table can become especially valuable. A table that works for a smaller household throughout the year can be extended when relatives and friends arrive for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s celebrations, birthdays, or other special occasions. The Briggs is designed around this idea of flexibility.
What Makes the Briggs Dining Table Different?
The Briggs Dining Table combines several characteristics that make it particularly suitable for a modern dining room.
Its solid hardwood top provides a natural foundation, while the clean silhouette gives it a contemporary appearance. The brass inlay incorporated into the legs adds a distinctive decorative element without overwhelming the simplicity of the overall design.
The table is also available with several leaf configurations, allowing homeowners to choose how much additional capacity they need.
This combination of craftsmanship, expandability, and visual character makes the Briggs more than a basic dining table. It becomes a piece of furniture capable of adapting to different occasions.
The Beauty of a Solid Hardwood Dining Table
Solid hardwood has a character that is difficult to reproduce with manufactured materials. Natural grain patterns, subtle color variations, and individual wood characteristics give every piece a distinct appearance. Over time, the table becomes part of the visual identity of the dining room rather than simply serving as a functional surface.
Lumber2Love builds the Briggs using Michigan-made American hardwood. Available wood options include maple, white oak, and walnut, allowing homeowners to choose a material that fits their interior style.
Maple offers a versatile foundation for lighter and contemporary interiors. White oak introduces visible grain and a warm natural appearance. Walnut provides deeper tones that can create a richer and more dramatic dining environment.
Why Walnut Can Create a Dramatic Holiday Dining Room
Walnut is a particularly appealing option for homeowners who want the dining table to become a strong visual focal point.
Its deeper natural color can pair beautifully with warm holiday lighting, neutral dinnerware, metallic accents, greenery, and seasonal decorations.
Because the Briggs already includes brass detailing, walnut can create an especially sophisticated relationship between the dark hardwood and metallic accents. The result can feel festive without requiring excessive decoration.
The Distinctive Brass Inlay Legs
One of the most recognizable elements of the Briggs Dining Table is its brass inlay. The brass detailing introduces a subtle luxury element into an otherwise clean and modern design. Rather than covering the table with ornamental decoration, the design concentrates the visual accent on the legs.
This creates an interesting contrast between the warmth of natural hardwood and the reflective quality of brass.
During holiday gatherings, the brass can catch the glow of pendant lighting, candles, or decorative fixtures, helping the table stand out without making the overall dining room feel overly formal.
Why Brass and Hardwood Work Together
Wood and brass have long been effective design partners because they provide contrasting textures and visual qualities.
Hardwood brings warmth, natural variation, and an organic appearance. Brass adds a polished accent and a subtle sense of refinement.
On the Briggs, the combination is integrated into the furniture itself rather than added through temporary accessories.
This means the table can look appropriate during the holidays while remaining equally suitable for ordinary family dinners throughout the rest of the year.
An Expandable Table Designed for Holiday Hosting
Holiday gatherings often expose the limitations of a dining table. A table that comfortably seats the household may suddenly need to accommodate grandparents, children, siblings, friends, and additional guests.
An expandable dining table provides a practical solution. The Briggs can be configured with a solid top or with additional leaves. Available options include a 12-inch leaf, two 12-inch leaves, or two 18-inch leaves.
The extension system is designed to slide open so the leaves can be added when additional seating is required.
This means the table can maintain a more compact footprint during ordinary meals while providing additional capacity when the guest list grows.
Choosing the Right Leaf Configuration
The right extension option depends on how often you entertain and how many people you typically host.
A single 12-inch leaf can be useful when you occasionally need a little extra space. Two 12-inch leaves provide more flexibility for larger gatherings, while two 18-inch leaves offer a greater expansion when hosting a substantial group.
Think about your typical holiday guest list before selecting the configuration. If your gatherings are usually intimate, the smaller extension may be sufficient. If extended family regularly joins you for holiday meals, a larger configuration may provide more useful flexibility.
Why Expandability Matters Beyond the Holidays
An expandable dining table does not need to be reserved for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Additional surface area can be useful for birthday celebrations, dinner parties, family game nights, large weekend meals, and other occasions when more people gather around the table.
The rest of the year, the table can remain in its more compact configuration. This adaptability can make an expandable table a more practical investment than a permanently oversized dining table.
A 30-Inch Standard Dining Height
The Briggs Dining Table has a standard height of 30 inches. This familiar dining height works with a wide range of dining chairs and allows homeowners to create a comfortable seating arrangement.
When selecting chairs, consider the relationship between seat height, table height, armrests, and the thickness of the tabletop.
For holiday dinners that may last several hours, comfortable seating becomes particularly important.
Choosing the Right Table Size for Your Dining Room
The Briggs starts with a 5-foot by 3-foot configuration in the provided product setup, while Lumber2Love also offers customizable dimensions. Room size should always be considered alongside the number of people you want to seat.
Do not measure only the tabletop area. Guests need enough room to pull chairs away from the table and move around the dining room.
Also account for nearby walls, cabinets, kitchen islands, sideboards, and doors. A properly sized table should allow people to sit comfortably without making the room feel crowded.
How to Create a Holiday Tablescape Around the Briggs
The Briggs provides a strong foundation for seasonal decorating. Because the table itself has a modern silhouette and brass accents, it does not require elaborate decoration to look impressive.
For a traditional holiday setting, natural greenery, candles, neutral dinnerware, and warm textiles can create a welcoming atmosphere.
For a more contemporary celebration, minimalist place settings, metallic accents, glassware, and understated seasonal decorations can complement the brass detailing.
The natural hardwood should remain visible rather than being completely covered by decorations. Allowing portions of the tabletop to show preserves the character of the furniture.
Decorating Without Hiding the Hardwood
One common mistake when preparing for a large holiday dinner is covering the entire dining table with decorations. A handcrafted hardwood table is itself part of the room’s design.
Instead of covering the surface from edge to edge, consider using a restrained centerpiece or a narrow runner that leaves substantial areas of wood visible.
This allows guests to appreciate the grain, finish, and natural character of the Briggs while still creating a festive setting.
Pairing the Briggs With Dining Chairs
The right chairs can significantly influence the appearance of the complete dining arrangement.
The clean silhouette of the Briggs allows it to work with many chair styles, from contemporary upholstered seating to more traditional hardwood chairs.
For a modern holiday dining room, chairs with simple profiles can reinforce the table’s clean geometry.
For a transitional interior, upholstered chairs can soften the look and create a more comfortable, layered atmosphere.
Because the Briggs already has brass accents, subtle metallic details in lighting or chair hardware can also create visual continuity.
Why the Briggs Works Beyond Modern Interiors
Although the Briggs has a distinctly modern character, its natural hardwood construction gives it enough warmth to work in transitional and industrial interiors as well.
In a modern dining room, its clean lines reinforce the surrounding geometry. In a transitional space, natural wood helps soften contemporary elements.
In an industrial-inspired interior, the combination of hardwood and brass can work particularly well with darker metal, exposed architectural elements, and textured materials. This versatility means the table does not need to be replaced when interior trends change.
Choosing a Finish for Your Briggs Dining Table
Finish selection can change the personality of the furniture. Lumber2Love offers several popular maple color options, including Clear, Ebony, Espresso, True Black, Provincial, and Dark Walnut, along with custom color options.
The right finish depends on the chosen hardwood and the surrounding room. A lighter finish can emphasize the natural character of the wood, while darker finishes can create a more dramatic appearance.
If you are unsure about the final finish, Lumber2Love offers a $40 sample pack containing four finished hardwood samples. Seeing actual samples under your home’s lighting can make the final decision easier.
The Importance of Protective Finishing
A dining table is exposed to everyday activity. Food, drinks, serving dishes, decorations, and frequent cleaning all place demands on the surface.
The Briggs receives a hand-applied stain and catalyzed varnish, with added protection options available.
A quality finish helps preserve the appearance of the hardwood while making routine maintenance easier.
Even with a durable finish, spills should be cleaned promptly and harsh cleaning products should be avoided.
Caring for the Brass Details
The brass inlay is an important visual element of the Briggs, so care should extend beyond the hardwood surface.
When cleaning the table, use a soft cloth and avoid abrasive products or aggressive chemicals that could affect the finish or brass detailing. The safest approach is generally gentle, routine cleaning rather than harsh treatments.
With appropriate care, the contrast between the hardwood and brass can remain an attractive feature for years.
Why Handcrafted Furniture Matters for Holiday Entertaining
Large family gatherings can be demanding on furniture. A dining table needs to support everyday meals, larger celebrations, and years of regular use.
The Briggs is handcrafted in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by skilled artisans using Michigan-made American hardwood.
This craftsmanship gives the table a character that mass-produced furniture often lacks. Natural wood variation means each table has its own visual identity, while the made-to-order approach allows customers to select materials, dimensions, finishes, and expansion options based on their needs.
A Dining Table Made for Everyday Life
Although the Briggs is particularly well suited to holiday gatherings, its design is not limited to special occasions.
The table can serve as the everyday dining surface for breakfast, family dinners, homework, conversations, and weekend meals.
This is important when investing in premium furniture. A table should not spend most of the year waiting for a special event.
Its clean design allows it to remain appropriate throughout the year, while its expandable construction gives it the ability to grow when the occasion demands it.
Why the Briggs Can Become a Family Gathering Place
The most memorable dining furniture often becomes associated with the experiences that happen around it.
Family traditions may develop around the same table year after year. Holiday breakfasts, birthday dinners, celebrations, and ordinary Sunday meals can all become part of the table’s history. The Briggs is designed as a long-term piece rather than a temporary seasonal product.
Its solid hardwood construction, customizable dimensions, and timeless silhouette allow it to remain relevant as the household’s needs change.
Ordering a Custom Briggs Dining Table
Because the Briggs is handcrafted to order, buyers can make several decisions during the purchasing process.
Wood species, dimensions, finish, brass inlay, leaf configuration, and additional protection can all influence the final table.
This customization makes it possible to create a dining table around the actual room and lifestyle rather than selecting a generic size from a showroom floor.
It is particularly useful for homeowners with unusual dining room dimensions or specific entertaining requirements.
How Long Does the Briggs Dining Table Take to Build?
The current estimated build time for the Briggs Dining Table is approximately 8-10 weeks. Because the table is handcrafted rather than mass-produced, buyers should consider this production period when planning a home renovation, holiday furniture upgrade, or new dining room design.
Planning ahead is especially important if you want the finished table in place before a particular holiday gathering.
Nationwide Delivery for the Briggs
A large solid hardwood dining table requires careful transportation. Lumber2Love offers hand delivery nationwide, with standard and white-glove delivery options.
When preparing for delivery, homeowners should measure doorways, hallways, staircases, elevators, and other access points leading to the dining room.
Doing this in advance can help ensure that the table can reach its intended location without unexpected obstacles.
Is the Briggs Dining Table Worth Considering for Holiday Gatherings?
For homeowners who regularly host family and friends, an expandable dining table can provide a practical combination of everyday usability and special-event flexibility.
The Briggs adds another dimension through its handcrafted solid hardwood construction and brass inlay legs.
It can remain relatively compact for ordinary meals and expand when the guest list grows. At the same time, the clean modern design makes it suitable for contemporary, transitional, and industrial-inspired interiors.
Why Choose the Lumber2Love Briggs Dining Table?
The Briggs represents the combination of several characteristics Lumber2Love is known for: American hardwood, handcrafted construction, customizable furniture, and a strong focus on modern design.
It is made in Grand Rapids, Michigan, using Michigan-made American hardwood and finished with hand-applied stain and catalyzed varnish.
The table is available in maple, white oak, and walnut, with multiple finish possibilities and several expansion configurations.
Its brass inlay provides a distinctive signature detail, while the expandable design makes it especially practical for holiday hosting.
For homeowners who want a dining table capable of supporting both everyday life and major celebrations, the Briggs offers a thoughtful combination of beauty, flexibility, and craftsmanship.
Final Thoughts: Make Holiday Gatherings More Special With the Briggs
A great holiday dining table should do more than provide enough room for plates and chairs. It should create a setting where people can gather comfortably, celebrate traditions, and enjoy time together.
The Lumber2Love Briggs Dining Table Brass Inlay combines the practical advantages of an expandable dining table with the visual character of handcrafted American hardwood furniture.
Its solid hardwood top provides warmth and natural beauty, while the brass-inlay legs introduce a refined modern accent. Multiple leaf configurations allow the table to adapt when additional guests arrive, making it suitable for everything from everyday family meals to large holiday celebrations.
Handcrafted in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Briggs is built to become a lasting part of the home. Its customizable dimensions, wood species, finishes, and expansion options make it possible to create a table that fits both the dining room and the people who gather around it.
When the holidays arrive and the dining room becomes the center of the home, a table like the Briggs can provide more than additional seating. It can become the backdrop for the meals, conversations, traditions, and memories that make gatherings meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Briggs Dining Table
What makes the Briggs Dining Table ideal for holiday gatherings?
Its expandable design allows homeowners to increase seating capacity when additional family members and guests arrive. The solid hardwood construction and distinctive brass inlay also make it an attractive centerpiece for a holiday dining room.
Is the Briggs Dining Table expandable?
Yes. The Briggs can be ordered with no leaf, a 12-inch leaf, two 12-inch leaves, or two 18-inch leaves.
What wood options are available for the Briggs?
The available wood choices include maple, white oak, and walnut. Each species offers a different grain pattern and overall appearance.
What is the standard height of the Briggs Dining Table?
The standard height is 30 inches.
Can I customize the size of the Briggs Dining Table?
Yes. Lumber2Love offers customizable dimensions, allowing the table to be adapted to different dining rooms and entertaining requirements.
What is the brass inlay on the Briggs Dining Table?
The brass inlay is incorporated into the table legs, adding a distinctive metallic accent to the solid hardwood construction. The brass inlay option is available as an upgrade.
How much does the Briggs Dining Table cost?
The provided base configuration starts at $2,699, with the final price depending on selected wood, size, brass inlay, leaves, finish, and other options.
How long does the Briggs Dining Table take to build?
The estimated build time is approximately 8-10 weeks because each table is handcrafted to order.
Where is the Briggs Dining Table made?
The Briggs Dining Table is handcrafted in Grand Rapids, Michigan, using Michigan-made American hardwood.
Can I order a finish sample?
Yes. Lumber2Love offers a $40 sample pack containing four finished hardwood samples to help customers choose a suitable finish.
How should I care for the Briggs Dining Table?
Regular cleaning with a soft, damp cloth is recommended. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning products that could affect the hardwood finish or brass detailing. Promptly clean spills and follow appropriate care practices for solid wood furniture.
Does the Briggs Dining Table work for everyday dining?
Yes. Although its expandable design makes it particularly useful for holiday gatherings and entertaining, the Briggs is designed to function as an everyday dining table as well.
Can the Briggs Dining Table work in a modern dining room?
Yes. Its clean lines, solid hardwood construction, and brass accents make it particularly well suited to modern interiors, while its natural wood character also allows it to work in transitional and industrial-inspired spaces.