Search This Blog

Monday, July 8, 2013

 Reclaimed Walnut Timber Table

       The idea for this build came to me when I was looking for some unique wood for a dining table. The table was to be 10' long and after combing through the local reclaimed lumber yard I came up with this 22' long beam. The size of it would be just big enough to pull off the design. Now all I had to do is convince my client that this gnarly thing would work. With big splits and rotten ends it was hard to know what we were going to find until we cut into it, and mapping out how to cut it to make it work... a bit stressful. When the milling started and I could see some of the color that was hidden inside I started to relax a bit, and then my work began.




      It is always fun for me to find ways to make this rustic material work. It makes the build more challenging and in turn, adds to the attractiveness and uniqueness of each piece. Good solid joinery used in a way to help hold it all together, even when there is checks (or cracks) running all over through the material, is the key.
     
       Fitting joinery together and wiping finish on is incredibly satisfying. It's always amazing to see what the oil does to the colors in the wood.



        Looking at that old beam it was impossible to know what we were going to end up with, but the color and rustic nature of this old beam make this a true one of a kind table. The discoloration in the middle comes from the rot that was spreading from the ends up through the heart of the tree and it is showcased in the book matched slabs that make up the table top. The butterfly inlays go across the checks like stitches and keep them from spreading. A fun project to build and to deliver.


Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Love of Woodwork

Reclaimed Redwood Entry Table









Redwood Dresser


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The difference is in the joinery

When looking at furniture what is there to distinguish a quality custom built piece from the rest? First and foremost, I would say, the joinery. Does the piece use the joinery in the design? When done in this way it is beautiful and will stand the test of time.

It is important to make this distinction because the cost is reflective. The market has driven the craftsman to become more and more of an artist than in the past. As furniture is increasingly going the way of the rest of our manufacturing jobs we have to find a way to distinguish ourselves. A shift from just craftsman to artisan in a way to make a living doing something you love.

Being a part of this process whether it be in buying, building, or designing gives you a connection to each piece. With that feeling you get more than furniture, the wood truly becomes alive again.

Friday, December 4, 2009

using split wood

I used reclaimed pickle barrel red wood for this door and was really impressed with the way the wood was able to be split. The grain of the wood split fairly evenly, even with the large size of panels I used on the door. After splitting the wood I peeled off all splinters and polished the panels with steel wool, the texture is very smooth. I then book matched them in the door. By book matching the split wood panels you gain visual interest in the door. I love this door and plan on using split wood in more furniture too.









building with reclaimed wood





Using reclaimed wood is definitely not the easy way to go about your construction process... Most of the time the wood is much harder to work, and tough on tools, but with the challenges come great rewards. Under the rough looking exterior is a reemerging beauty not often uncovered. The character that is added to each piece can not be duplicated truly making each one a true "one of a kind".
I try to use mainly reclaimed wood in my furniture construction. It adds to the expense of each piece but I believe the extra cost is countered by the uniqueness it adds. It also feels good to take something that could of ended up scrapped or burned and reworking it in to a thing of beauty. I love the challenges of using this wood to build with and bringing out that hidden beauty.