All of our wood comes from trees that are already down. We believe in the ideals of conservation, recycling, and repurposing. We also operate with the idea that there is beauty to be found in the work of mother nature, from the seedling to the spalting that occurs as a result of disease or initial stages of decay.
In our pieces, we “live saw” a log, “gang-sawing” the entire log (or a manageable length of the tree). This is also called “sawing through and through”. Live sawing produces wider boards than other methods, and these boards show mostly mixed grain – flat grain near the center of the face, and quarter grain near the edges. This is an alternative to plain sawing and quarter sawing a log.* We also mill our logs into rounds, creating a true cross-sectional result, revealing the growth rings and grain patterns that also tell the history of the tree.
We typically allow our logs to air dry, even to the point of not milling them for about the first year after they are downed. This allows a more natural, even drying and allows the cracks to develop before we start working with the slabs, giving us an opportunity to incorporate them into the design.
There are lots of options when it comes to wood finish. We typically don’t stain the wood, preferring to enhance the colors that nature has created. But occasionally a little applied color can really jazz up the piece and we may choose to stain it. Wood needs to be sealed to be preserved. There are lots of options depending on how the piece is to be used, what type of piece we are making, the wood we are using, and of course – personal preference.
If you have a preference for finishes, call or email us to discuss the pros and cons and we’ll be happy to accommodate your wishes.
Absolutely! In most cases we can change out the legs that are there for the height you want. Additionally, if you see a piece you like, chances are we have other similar cuts from the very same tree. We are more than happy to build it to order. If you see a leg style you like, we probably can adapt it to your requirements. Drop us a note or let’s talk!
This question continues to bewilder me to some extent, even though we spend a LOT of time doing pricing and product research. The most obvious answer is that of supply and demand.
We treat each of our projects as the art work that it is. Each piece is individually crafted and one of a kind. And like any artwork, we have signed and dated each one. We think that buying an excellent piece, that has been thoughtfully created and beautifully executed should be considered an investment.