This project was built and designed by Norm Abram from The New Yankee Workshop. It’s a detailed, refined build featuring three elegantly designed tables that nest together for compact storage and flexible use in any room.
Inspired by early 20th-century English furniture, Norm’s version blends traditional craftsmanship with timeless style. The result is a practical yet decorative piece that showcases several fine woodworking techniques.
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What Is a Nest of Tables?
A nest of tables is a set of small tables, each slightly smaller than the next, designed to slide neatly underneath each other. They’re ideal for maximizing space while still offering plenty of surface area for drinks, snacks, or display.
Norm’s design is based on an antique example that combines elements of Chippendale and Regency styling. The flowing leg curves and subtle inlays bring a level of elegance that makes this set suitable for both casual and formal settings.
Selecting Materials for Contrast and Strength
Norm chose walnut for the legs and rails, and mahogany for the table tops. This pairing creates a beautiful contrast while keeping the structure strong and stable.
For woodworkers building their own set, other hardwoods such as cherry or oak can also work well. The key is to use straight-grained, stable wood—especially for the legs and connecting rails, where strength is essential.
Milling and Preparing the Lumber
The project starts by resawing thicker stock to create thinner panels for the tabletops. This approach saves material and allows for precise control over thickness and flatness.
After resawing, each piece is passed through a jointer and planer. Norm emphasizes the importance of proper preparation—flat, consistent stock is key to getting tight joints and a solid final assembly.
Shaping Matching Legs
Twelve legs are required for the full set—four per table—each sharing the same shape but cut to different lengths. Norm uses a pattern and a router with a specialty bit to shape each leg with precision.
Once cut, the legs are sanded and prepared for joinery. Consistency across all twelve ensures the tables nest properly without wobbling or leaning.
Cutting Joinery for the Rails and Stretchers
Each leg connects to horizontal rails and stretchers that hold the base of each table together. Norm uses a mortising machine to cut clean mortises into the legs, followed by tenons on each rail.
This approach makes for strong, long-lasting joints. Careful dry fitting is done before glue-up to ensure everything seats tightly and squarely.
Tabletop Design with Curves and Inlays
The top of each table features a serpentine curve, traced from the original antique. Norm uses a template to replicate this curve across all three tables, preserving the design’s graceful proportions.
A groove is routed around the edge of each top for inlay work. Norm chooses light-colored maple for a subtle yet striking accent against the darker mahogany. The contrast adds visual interest and elevates the overall presentation.
Dry Fitting and Assembly
Before gluing anything together, Norm performs a full dry fit of each table base. This step is crucial—it allows for final tweaks, adjustments to tenons, and clamping strategies.
Once satisfied, he assembles the tables using wood glue and clamps, letting them cure overnight. Taking time here ensures that every corner is square and stable.
Finishing Steps with Shellac and Stain
To highlight the inlays and rich wood tones, Norm applies shellac selectively as a barrier before staining. This helps the lighter maple remain bright while allowing the mahogany to deepen in tone.
After staining, several coats of polyurethane are brushed on for protection. Norm sands lightly between coats for a smooth, durable finish that’s resistant to everyday wear.
A Project That Teaches and Delivers
This nest of tables isn’t just a beautiful furniture piece—it’s also a teaching project. It covers resawing, pattern routing, mortise-and-tenon joinery, curved profiles, inlay work, and multi-step finishing.
It’s a great challenge for intermediate woodworkers looking to build both skill and confidence. Even for more experienced builders, the project offers a satisfying blend of precision and creativity.
A Timeless Addition to Any Home
When finished, the three tables slide neatly under each other, ready to be used individually or together. They’re ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, or anywhere you need flexible surface space with minimal footprint.
Norm’s version captures both form and function. It’s a reminder of how woodworking combines utility with artistry, and how traditional techniques still hold relevance today.
You can get the plans here: https://www.newyankee.com/episode/nest-of-tables/.