I Can’t Believe This Mid-Century Modern Dining Table Isn’t From a Luxury Brand

When designer Dariel Ruiz-Alvarez and his architect partner, Mason Nabors, moved into their sun-drenched, mid-century modern apartment in Brooklyn, they pulled decor inspiration from influential architect Luis Barragan and celebrated designer Milo Baughman. The result is a home clad in warm, neutral colors with pops of rich wood tones, marble stone, and chrome accents.

The apartment is one of the biggest spaces the couple has lived in so far, and it came with a large dining area — perfect for hosting guests. So a top priority was finding a table big enough for gatherings, but there was one caveat: Their “budget was pretty limited,” Ruiz-Alvarez said at the time of the house tour.

How the Couple Built a DIY Dining Table

The couple set out to create a DIY dining table inspired by Baughman’s furniture — but for less. “We purchased a wide plank cherry wood countertop from Hardwood Lumber Company and 4” diameter polished chrome legs by Mockett to create our dining table,” Ruiz-Alvarez wrote at the time of the house tour.

Combining the two materials created a sophisticated, mid-century modern dining table that looks like it was purchased from a luxury furniture store. Four Bruno Mathsson Thonet-style bentwood dining chairs (sourced from Horseman Antiques) surround the DIY table and are the perfect perches for elegant meals.

The custom dining table was one of Nabors and Ruiz-Alvarez’s proudest DIY projects, and it’s understandable why. A little imagination, access to quality materials, and trust in their design intuition led to a one-of-a-kind table that looks like a luxury furniture piece for less. 

If you’re intrigued by the dining table’s style or are inspired by Baughman or Barragan, too, you’ll want to see the rest of Nabors and Ruiz-Alvarez’s gorgeous space in the full home tour.