A Thanksgiving Rescue

Integrity and ability | Choose your shop

A recent build involved a bit of a rescue operation, just in time to give the homeowners a well deserved Thanksgiving at home.

The project in question involved the fabrication and installation of large wooden wall panels to create a centerpiece entertainment center. Critically, the panels needed to be stained to match existing elements in the house. This is what tripped up prior craftsmen. Unfortunately for the client, those craftsmen simply walked away. As a result, the project, which had started in January, was in danger of sitting stalled through Thanksgiving and perhaps even into the new year.

Thanksgiving is our family’s most cherished holiday. Being asked to help complete the project so the homeowners could return to their home in time for Thanksgiving was an honor. With just a few weeks to spare we got rolling.

The process of coloring wood can be tricky. There are many variables. The material in this project was maple, a wood that can be tricky to stain well. The tight grain structure of maple can lead to uneven uptake of stain leading to a blotchy appearance.

Understanding timber, and understanding the way different types of colorants work is key to a successful outcome. It also takes a lot of trial and error. Working with the client directly, we make samples. Many samples. More than 16 samples. We tried different stains. With different surface preparations. And different dwell times. And different wiping techniques.

Custom details matter | Colorado Design

It took time. Multiple hours. It took creativity. Mixing stains. Double staining. And it took patience, when the timeline for the project was already tight.

But because the details matter, and the long-term success of the project rode on getting the color right rather than being done by Thanksgiving, we kept sampling until the client was happy.

And therein lies the benefit of custom furniture - the ability to get what you want.

It’s also a cautionary tale in choosing a shop - make sure your chosen furniture craftsman is willing, and has the ability, to work with you through all the ups and downs of a project. As we’ve said many times here, custom furniture is an investment and a journey. You need the right partner.

Happily, the project was completed in time for the homeowners to feast at home. Taking part in the transformation of the space was gratifying. Even more so was helping the family enjoy their Thanksgiving in that new space. It’s why we build.