The table opens in the middle through the use of wooden slides and accepts an 18" leaf. A ¼ inch cherry strip was inlayed into the aprons of both the table and bench to help it blend with the kitchen (wife's request). I finished the table/benches with 15 coats of clear Fuhr #380 (water based) finish. I used an HVLP spray gun to apply the finish and sanded the final coat to a mirror surface. My family has been using the table now for about3 years and it looks as good as the day I finished it.