Stoneline Designs Conference Table Blog

Conference Tables in History

2010-06-29T18:43:43Z

This is a modern photo of the conference table used during the Yalta Conference in the Livadiya Palace, Ukraine. In 1945 the Allied leaders -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin sat at this very table to discuss Europe's structure and organization after the war.

A critical event in modern history, and conference tables were there!

Case Study: Granite Conference Table

2010-06-10T18:40:15Z

Stoneline Designs recently completed this granite conference table for a law firm in Las Vegas, NV.

The conference table, from our Crescent line, features a boat shaped top in polished absolute black granite. Power and data ports are hidden in a wiring channel with sliding covers along the center of the table. Stainless steel panels on the pedestal are removable for wiring access.

Introducing the Tangent Conference Table

2010-05-20T19:30:21Z

Stoneline Designs is pleased to add the Tangent Conference Table to our line of executive conference room furniture.

The Tangent Conference Table (shown above with Frosted and Opaque Frosted glass table top) features two Steel plates combined in Oval or "Scround" shapes to form the stout base that includes levelors underneath. A 4" Square central column is flanked by 2 or 4 side supports in Brushed Aluminum, Wood or Sand-blasted Steel. Round or Square tables 48" and below do not need the side supports but they can be added as an option. Sand-blasted Steel rails with integrated leveling are bolted to a top shape (oval or Scround) that caps the column and side supports. A top rail support structure holds multiple piece tops for large conference table sizes.

The Tangent table can include either our wiring grommet or wiring trough for integrated power and data outlets. Wiring is concealed in the center column in the pedestal, and is designed to sit over a floor outlet.

Conference Tables in History

2010-05-12T18:53:25Z

This photo shows President Eisenhower's Cabinet, meeting in the cabinet room. President Eisenhower is seated in the center on the right side of the conference table, and then-Vice President Nixon in the center on the left. The photo was taken on May 10, 1957 -- 53 years ago almost to the day.

Conference Table Data Ports: Wiring Grommet

2010-05-03T17:04:21Z

Our most popular option for conference table power and data ports is the 4" wiring grommet, shown here in a frosted glass conference table top:

The wiring grommet fits into the tabletop and includes two power and two data jacks. There is also an open space in the side of the grommet, allowing additional wires to be run if necessary. The grommet is covered by a removable brushed aluminum cover when not in use. The top of the grommet is recessed so that the aluminum cover sits flush with the surface of the table top. We polish and edge detail the wiring hole, creating a focal point of the design of the table.

The grommet is centered over the pedestal so that wires can be run seamlessly through the pedestal into the floor. A removable panel in the pedestal provides easy access to wiring for maintenance. For additional power and data ports, multiple grommets can be installed in the conference table, up to one per pedestal.

Conference Tables in History

2010-04-21T18:07:18Z

This photo shows the Conference of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, held in August 1944. Seated at the table (l to r): Lt Col D Heathcote Amery, Maj Gen R Royce, Air Chf Mshl Sir Sholto Douglas, Air Chf Mshl Sir Arthur Harris, Air Chf Mshl Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Maj Gen F L Anderson, Lt Gen J H Doolittle, Brig Gen F L Parks, Air Mshl Sir Roderick Hill.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Case Study: Granite Dining Table

2010-04-20T17:16:29Z

We recently created this granite dining table for a client in northern California:

The client has a beautiful modern home with a spacious feel. He chose a table from our Vector line, with simple, clean lines and a strong design to match his contemporary home design. The table features a polished absolute black granite top and a cherry pedestal. Here's what the client told us about his new table:

"The table is beyond beautiful. The design, engineering and construction are perfection. It is a work of art. I am more pleased than I could have imagined or anticipated."

Thanks so much for the photos; we love how you integrated the Vector table into your interior design. It's great to see our table in such a beautiful space!

Click here to read the client's full message about this table

How Conference Tables Are Made: Cutting a Granite Table Top

2010-04-16T16:53:00Z

One of the fun thing about being at Stoneline is getting to see beautiful tables take shape from raw materials. Yesterday, our artisan Bart (with help from Mace) cut a boat shaped granite conference table top, 66" wide x 16' long, from three pieces of absolute black granite.

The process took over two hours, including careful measuring and taping to make sure the cuts were correct. In this video, watch it happen in one hundred seconds:

Cutting the sides is only the first step. Now the edges must be beveled, border sandblasted, ends cut to a similar curved shape, and finally the table, from our Vector line, will have a decorative design scored into the top. The pedestals will be made of cherry wood, and will receive just as much care and attention to detail as the top.

A Glass Conference Table for a Glass Expert

2010-04-09T17:07:42Z

Last year Stoneline designed a conference table and credenza for a glass container manufacturer in Louisiana. Because glass is key to their business, we designed their table with our Patterned Scratched glass finish. It is a unique glass treatment with a sparkling blue-grey color. We just received this letter from the client:

It's been almost nine months since we received the conference table and credenza from Stoneline Designs, and I wanted to let you know how much we have enjoyed the compliments we have received from our visitors. Since we are a glass container manufacturing facility, it is appropriate for the beautiful glass design table. The 12.5 ft Crescent conference table with scratched glass and the beautiful credenza definitely make a statement!

It was a pleasure working with Diana and Monte. You calmed my fears about ordering from an internet showroom. We could not be happier with the experience and the product.

Regards,
Barbara

Barbara, we're so glad you're enjoying the table and credenza. We hope you'll send a photo, maybe with examples of your glass containers on the table so we can see how well they go together. Thanks so much!

A Dining Table to Treasure

2010-04-06T20:02:23Z

We recently made a special dining table for a client in northern California. The table, from our Vector line, had a 60" round black granite top, and cherry wood pedestal. We just received this message from our client:

The Vector table was delivered and set up this afternoon. Delivery and setup were flawless.

The table is beyond beautiful. The design, engineering and construction are perfection. It is a work of art. I am more pleased than I could have imagined or anticipated.

Thank you so very much. I will use and treasure this table for the rest of my life, and no doubt it will be used and treasured equally by many others after me.
--David

We're a little overwhelmed by such high praise, David. It means the world to us. Thanks for the photo!

Happy Anniversary Dave

2010-04-01T18:14:42Z

Today is a special anniversary: Dave joined Stoneline's team of artisans on this day twenty years ago. Dave specializes in wood furniture, and brings decades of experience in fine woodworking techniques to his work.

Happy anniversary, Dave! Thanks for being an excellent part of the Stoneline team. Here's to many happy returns!

Conference Tables in History

2010-03-16T17:03:19Z

Past and future leaders of our nation meet, and conference tables are there! In this photo, President Gerald Ford talks with CIA Director George H.W. Bush at a meeting of the National Security Council in 1976.

How Conference Tables are Made: Wiring Grommet

2010-03-10T17:55:07Z

Spring has arrived in North Carolina, and when weather permits, our artisans move some of their work outside. Here Mace uses a diamond drum to polish the wiring hole in a glass conference table top.

When the conference table is assembled, the hole will be fitted with a wiring grommet which houses power and data jacks under a removable cover. Most wiring grommets are flanged to cover the edge of the hole, and sit up on top of the table. Stoneline uses a grommet without a flange which is set flush with the tabletop surface, leaving the edge of the hole exposed. We hand polish and edge detail the hole, creating a focal point in the design of the table.

Running water reduces friction as Mace works, and tape protects the glass table top in case the diamond drum slips.

Conference Table Etiquette

2010-03-03T21:51:52Z

The book The Essential Guide to Business Etiquette by Lillian Chaney and Jeannette Martin discusses not just faux pas to avoid, but also advice on using the principles of etiquette to improve one's position at a conference or meeting. Some of their tips:

Arrive three to five minutes early to get your pick of seats, and allow more important people to choose their seat first.
Try to sit to the left of the most important person at the meeting. This may not be the person leading the meeting.
Try not to sit next to an empty chair as this makes you appear isolated and reduces your importance.
Do not sit directly across the conference table from someone with whom you expect conflict; this is a confrontational position. Try to sit on the same side of the table as your antagonist, but not next to them.
The person leading the meeting should sit at the end of the conference table furthest from the door. Chaney and Martin call this seat the "power perch."

We have a few tips to add:

Just as you should avoid sitting next to someone with whom you expect conflict, try not to sit next to a close friend or work buddy. You may be tempted to chat or share a private joke during the meeting, which is rude and isolates you from the rest of the group.
Make sure your cell phone is turned off, not on vibrate. Better yet, don't bring your phone to the conference room. If you absolutely must have your phone, explain why (waiting for a critical call, etc) to the conference chair in advance.
Setting your smart phone or Blackberry on the conference table is an aggressive gesture. You are telling everyone in the room that your time is more important than theirs. Don't do it unless you have the standing to justify it, as it can make you appear arrogant.
Use a pen and paper to take notes instead of a laptop. Other people may have trouble seeing you over the laptop case, which tends to isolate you from the group. Besides, the potential for distraction is too great with your computer, especially if the conference room provides a wireless network.

Conference Tables in History

2010-03-02T20:21:11Z

The dot com boom led to many innovations in workplace culture, such as casual dress codes, employees bringing their dogs to work, and even sometimes game tables used as conference tables:

This super-casual approach may have worked great for the dot commers, but most businesses find more value in separating work and play. Keep the table tennis games for after hours, and let your conference table be a productive space that makes a good impression with clients.

(table tennis/conference table photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)