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This Historical Wood Slab Should Be Your Next Dining Table!

This Historical Wood Slab Should Be Your Next Dining Table!

In our past few articles, we highlighted wood slabs that would make great dining tables. In that same vein, let’s deep dive and understand one of the most storied wood slabs in the world - Olive wood. With a rich history and an eye-catching color, Olive wood is something every homeowner should consider when looking for a solid wood dining table.

Origins

Olive wood originates from southern and eastern Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and more. This timber has also played a part in the ancient histories of many of these countries as well. For instance, Olive wood was often the material of choice for many artefacts in the ancient Greek and Roman eras! Moreover, this timber was often mentioned in many religious texts such as the Quran and the Bible.

These little stories make Olive wood ideal for those looking for furniture pieces that have an extra wrinkle of character to them.

Aside from its great historical significance, Olive wood is also known for its ability to grow up to a whopping 40 metres in length! As a result, many Olive wood slabs tend to be long and wide, making it a good option for large families looking for a big dining table.

Durability

Olive wood is strong and durable for indoor use. One of the most common indicators of durability in the industry is the Janka scale which ranges from 0 to 4,000. A ranking of 0 means that the lumber is very soft and not suitable for dining table usage. A ranking of 4,000 means that the lumber is extremely hard and difficult to mill. Olive wood has a hardness rating of 2,700, placing it in the acceptable range for a dining table.

This hardness and density have made Olive wood very popular among furniture makers who use it to make high-end indoor furniture such as tables and decorative items. Furthermore, the high density of this timber means that it is more resistant to dings and dents that usually appear on a dining table from regular usage.

Color & Appearance

Olive wood grains

Visually, Olive wood has a striking yellowish-orange appearance. The timber also has highly contrasting brown lines and yellow streaks of sapwood, giving it a unique look. Moreover, the branches on Olive trees tend to twist and turn in an erratic manner, creating intricate wood grains and ripples.

The color tone of Olive wood is great for homes that are going for a Scandinavian aesthetic or a warmer color palette. Furthermore, the light tone of this timber makes its wood features more apparent, which is sure to stand out as the statement piece in any home.

Maintenance

With Olive wood, it is important to note that it is strictly for indoor use only. This timber lacks the necessary natural oils to withstand the harsh conditions of the great outdoors. As such, to preserve the longevity of an Olive wood dining table, do ensure that it always remains indoors and away from open balconies.

Like all wood slabs, Olive wood can be sensitive to sudden changes in moisture or temperature. As such, using coasters and placemats when serving food is highly encouraged to avoid watermarks. At Grey & Sanders, we too do our very best to ensure that your solid wood dining table is well protected and is easy to maintain even before it reaches your home! Our wood slabs are all coated with a Rubio Monocoat finish. The Rubio Monocoat oil is engineered in such a way that it protects both the surface and core of the wood, giving it good protection against water and making it highly scratch-resistant.  Simply clean the surface with a slightly damp lint-free cloth regularly for dusting. For detailed care instructions with the Rubio Monocoat, click here.

Where Can I Get An Olive Wood Dining Table?

Our showrooms have a couple of beautiful olive wood slabs that are eagerly waiting for a new home. At Grey & Sanders, we also house over 300 solid wood slabs that would make great solid wood dining tables. If you’re interested in Olive wood or any other wood slabs, do drop by our showrooms! It would bring us much pleasure to be part of your furnishing journey.