Case Study: Custom White Oak Tabletops for Allswell Waterside, Florida
How Hardtwood Custom Woodworks delivered coastal-modern durability with furniture-grade white oak.
Crafting a Coastal Dining Experience with Timeless Design
When Allswell Waterside—a vibrant Florida restaurant with open-air seating and a refined coastal aesthetic—set out to furnish its dining areas, the team needed tabletops that looked elevated, stood up to daily service, and felt at home by the water. That’s where Hardtwood Custom Woodworks came in.
We partnered with Kimberly at Kiro Design, the creative force behind the restaurant’s interior design, to build a collection of custom white oak tabletops that combine hospitality-grade durability with the natural warmth and grain definition white oak is known for.
Project Overview
- Location: Allswell Waterside, Florida
- Designer: Kiro Design
- Scope: 30+ custom furniture-grade white oak tabletops
- Finish: Light natural tone sealed with 100% VOC-free hardwax oil
- Timeline: ≈3 weeks from milling to final finish
- Objective: Deliver stable, design-driven tabletops suited for high-traffic service and humid coastal conditions
For a Florida waterfront environment, we specified white oak for its tight grain, inherent strength, and reliable moisture resistance—ideal for indoor and covered outdoor dining areas.
The Build: Process & Edge Detailing
Each piece began with responsibly sourced, kiln-dried white oak. Boards were jointed, planed, and edge-glued under even clamping pressure to create stable panels. After curing, we flattened and calibrated the tops, then sanded through progressive grits for a glass-smooth surface ready for finish.
- Core milling: precision jointing, planing, and panel glue-ups for long-term stability
- Reinforcement: steel stabilizers inset beneath larger spans to mitigate cupping/bowing in humid climates
- Finish system: clear, VOC-free hardwax oil for spill resistance and easy on-site maintenance
- Custom edge work: each tabletop featured a hand-cut instep on the underside paired with clean chamfers along the top and bottom edges — giving the tables a refined, floating appearance that complements the modern coastal design.
- Edge profiles: tailored to the designer’s specifications (see edge details)
Aesthetic Fit: Coastal Warmth, Modern Lines
The interior concept by Kiro Design emphasized natural materials, bright tones, and a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. White oak delivered the perfect balance — its soft golden hue and tight grain add warmth while maintaining a clean, minimal feel.
The subtle instep and chamfer combination enhanced the floating effect of each tabletop, allowing light to catch the bottom edge and create visual depth. This thoughtful detail elevated the overall aesthetic, blending craftsmanship with architectural precision.
Sustainability at the Core
- Responsibly sourced hardwoods
- 100% VOC-free finishes for safer indoor air
- Built-to-last construction to reduce replacement cycles
Explore our materials and sourcing approach on About Our Wood.
Why White Oak for Restaurants?
White oak balances beauty and resilience—excellent hardness, dependable moisture resistance, and a grain that accepts clear and pigmented finishes evenly. It’s a top choice for hospitality spaces where performance and consistency matter. For an in-depth species profile, see the White Oak entry on The Wood Database.
Specify Your Next Tabletops
Whether you need a single statement piece or a full restaurant rollout, we tailor every detail—dimensions, edge profile, stabilizers, and finish tone—to your space.
Project Outcomes
- Consistent visual tone across 30+ tables, aligned with the Kiro Design aesthetic
- Custom edge detailing (instep and chamfers) that added a lightweight, architectural character
- Reinforced stability for long-term flatness in humid conditions
- Service-friendly finish for quick cleanup and easy maintenance
Ready to Build?
Bring us your drawings or dimensions and we’ll engineer a solution that looks right and lasts. Start your quote today: Hardwood Tabletops.
