Synopsis: A simple, three-legged table takes on tons of personality when paired with a removable tray embellished with indigo-dyed parquetry. The tray is made by laminating shopsawn veneers, and designer Heide Martin applies hardwood edging to conceal the seams and protect the parquetry. With its simple design and underbeveled edge, the table allows the tray to take center stage. Turned, tapered splayed legs are made more stable using applied collars and attach to the top with wedged through-tenons.

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This tray table was built at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine during my Nine-month Comprehensive training, under the guidance of lead instructor Aled Lewis and coinstructor Bruce Beeken. While the table project as a whole is on the complex side, it can be built in stages or adjusted for simplicity. You could build the table or tray as solo pieces, or adapt the tray design to feature undyed parquetry panels…