Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. I know one of the antique heart pine companies here sometimes recommend making a thinner countertop and putting a "thicker" trim band around it to make it appear as though the whole top is thicker. Something you could try which may suit your budget is similar to what these folks are doing...
http://thefriendlyhome.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-oxidize-wood.html
http://ana-white.com/2013/05/farmhouse-dining-table-oxidized-finish-first-project
http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2012/04/dining-room-table.html
I can't find the one I saw the other day but they basically made an old looking farm house table out of new 2x6s, 2x4s, etc.
http://thefriendlyhome.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-oxidize-wood.html
http://ana-white.com/2013/05/farmhouse-dining-table-oxidized-finish-first-project
http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2012/04/dining-room-table.html
I can't find the one I saw the other day but they basically made an old looking farm house table out of new 2x6s, 2x4s, etc.
