MAKING OF A KITCHEN TABLE

The leading retailer in the USA is making this rustic raw wood table in about 8 different designs. The difference is they are using reclaimed Oak where we use reclaimed Elmwood, which is easier to get because it's regional and much less expensive. 

They retail for about $15,000 and up depending on the size.  

Restoration Hardware

shows all the knots and spits.  It's usually the natural wood with a light wax finish. 

OUR FINISHED TABLE

55" x 55" x 31"

and 4 matching stools

This factory specializes in this finish and ships container loads to Europe for several years. I've had success with them with similar tables that were round or a trestle table 10 feet long. 

These tables are meant to be irregular. The reclaimed wood is selected and sanded by hand, the wood is left unfinished, so that the knots, nail holes, cracks and other vestiges of its former life remain gloriously visible.

As described by RH:

By their nature, unsealed salvaged wood planks may be somewhat uneven, and may cup or bow slightly over time, further enhancing their rustic one-of-a-kind character; cracks may be present

This item is artisan crafted with meticulous care. Given its handmade and hand-finished nature, variations in the wood or metal work are to be expected and celebrated. Each item is unique and no two are exactly alike.

Original request

But 

1.no drawer

2. no marble top 

3. no shelf underneath

The wood cannot be identified - the stain cannot be identified. It's just a very old badly soiled table from this photo. 

My interpretation is to use old wood and create a 'old and very used' table - using refurbished old wood.  

For everyone who is reading this:

If you don't have an exact item to copy - the factory cannot 'interpret' and neither can I.  To get apples to apples - you need the original apple. 

 I try my best to communicate your concept to the factory but you must keep an open mind and not set the bar too high or else you will only be disappointed.  This is a discounted business working on small margins to keep prices low for you - there are limitation. 

Color of wood I'm asking for when finished

*Note no knots - but then 'no knots' make for a very new contemporary table. This is a contradiction of the warn out warm 'look' you're after. 

concept with larger planks / less planks

This is hard to do because it's square and not a rectangle. 

Planked top to stop movement

 Planked down and across - the color is light - I'll try to achieve the above. But note there are knots.  There will be knots. 

I'm asking them to bleach the wood before they stain to lessen the intensity of the knots. 

 The look asked for

Concept

RESTORATION HARDWARE TABLES

To have a solid center piece - and planked edges - means the center piece has to be a veneer over plywood otherwise you risk the piece shifting and seams showing. Especially for this size of table. Then you don't have the old used look. 

Originally we used Cypress for a lighter colored wood with less knots - but I've found out it's also a very soft wood and didn't take the stain. 
I don't like using other woods other than Ash (harder wood) and Elmwood.  It's what the factories know - and it keeps the price down. 

Please remember these are made in 3rd world factories the old Chinese way.  They haven't seen the retail market. 

The factory!

MATCHING STOOLS

TV CABINET
Note:  it's not the same as the kitchen table finish.
This is heavily sanded to a contemporary finish. 
Also please notice the photo you sent is heavily 'knotted'