G-Plan Extending Refectory Elm Dining Table and Cane-Back Chair Suite by E. Gomme Ltd, England, c. 1960s–70s
A British Mid-Century Dining Suite — Warmth, Craft, and Considered Design
A well-composed and generously proportioned dining suite by G-Plan, produced by E. Gomme Ltd during the brand's most accomplished period. The red G-Plan label — applied to pieces from the mid-1960s onward — confirms the provenance of the set.
The table is the centrepiece. Its refectory-style base — twin solid Elm wood trestles joined by a central stretcher, each foot gently arched — gives the piece an architectural presence unusual for the period, distinguishing it from the more common tapered-leg forms associated with the brand. The elm-veneered top extends via a smooth butterfly leaf mechanism, transforming effortlessly from an everyday dining surface into a generous entertaining table. The warm elm grain, with its natural figuring and depth, lends the piece a grounded, inviting character that sits comfortably between mid-century modern and the warmth of a more relaxed, country interior.
The suite is accompanied by six G-Plan Chairs by E. Gomme for Waring & Gillow Ltd, c. 1970.— four side chairs and two carvers — each sharing the same design language: solid elm wood frames, gently sculpted arms on the carvers, and woven cane back panels that introduce texture and lightness without compromising the clean silhouette. The cane detail is a particularly appealing one — honest, tactile, and characteristic of the more organic strand of British mid-century making.
Together, the suite reflects a softer, more organic interpretation of mid-century design — practical, well-made, and enduring in appeal.
Restored and reupholstered. A complete, cohesive suite ready for a considered dining interior.
Maker Profile — G-Plan / E. Gomme Ltd (England)
G-Plan is one of Britain's most enduring and recognisable furniture names — and one with genuine design credentials. The company was established in High Wycombe in 1898 by Ebenezer Gomme, a town with deep roots in the British furniture trade. In 1953, Donald Gomme launched the G-Plan range — short for Gomme Plan — with a then-radical proposition: a complete range of modern furniture for the home that could be purchased piece by piece, according to budget. It was the first truly democratic approach to considered interior design in Britain.
In the early 1960s, facing competition from Danish imports, G-Plan introduced a Danish Modern range designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen — a move that reflected the brand's genuine engagement with the best of Scandinavian design thinking, rather than simply following trends. The brand's core output throughout the 1960s and 70s remains its most collectible: well-made, warm in material, and designed with an honest understanding of how people actually live.
Today, G-Plan mid-century pieces are among the most sought-after examples of British post-war furniture — valued for their build quality, their design integrity, and their ability to sit comfortably within both period and contemporary interiors.
All Vintage Club pieces are carefully considered for authenticity, provenance, and condition before acquisition. Restoration is undertaken in-house to the highest standard.
Vintage G-Plan Extending Refectory Elm Dining Table and Chair Suite
Maker: G-Plan / E. Gomme Ltd
Country: England
Date: c. 1960s–70s
Dimensions: Table: W 158,5 cm (closed) 208,5 cm (open) | D 106 cm | H 73 cm
Chairs: 4 side chairs, 2 carvers
Overall Height: 86cm. Height to seat: 44cm. Depth: 45cm. Width: 49cm. Carver Width: 56cm.
Condition: Table restored and refinished. Elm veneer top. Chairs reupholstered in a warm off-white fabric from Hertex fabric, Martindale 50,000+, washable. Original cane backs retained.
As with all authentic mid-century pieces, gentle signs of age remain and are considered part of their character.
Photographed in natural light in our studio.
Like many well-made mid-century pieces, this one combines solid wood with a quality veneer — a considered choice of the era, used to showcase the finest grain while ensuring the piece moves and settles as the timber intends.
We photograph every piece honestly — what you see is what you'll receive. Before dispatch, each item is cleaned and finished with Osmo Polyx®-Oil so it arrives looking its best.
