BH | Studio Camden Adjustable-Height Dining Table

In the factories, print shops and drafting rooms of the industrial age, tables stood on heavy iron bases with hand cranks so the work surface could be raised or lowered to suit the job. Those cast-iron frames, built to last generations, have become prized pieces in kitchens and lofts.

This long table has a thick top of solid hardwood in Honey or Jet, set on an iron-plated metal base of two curved, wishbone-shaped legs. Turn the crank at the side and the top rises smoothly from a 29-inch dining height to just over 40 inches, through counter height and on to bar height, so the same table serves a seated dinner, a standing work session or a buffet for a party. It seats eight to ten on counter or bar chairs, with plenty of surface for laptops and papers in a meeting. Non-marking glides protect the floor, and only minimal assembly is needed.

Put it in a big kitchen or loft with exposed brick and pendant lights, set low for family dinners and raised for a cocktail party with stools all round. In a home office or studio it becomes a conference table or a standing desk for long days on projects. A mix of chairs and stools suits its working character, and the wood with black iron feels warm and industrial.