Quality Construction | Choice Lumber for building Furniture

Quality Built Furniture | What It Takes To Get To The Treasures

In a previous post we spoke about acquiring a treasure trove of black walnut. For a current project we’re getting into that walnut, both literally and figuratively.

I haven’t yet had the experience of working with rough, old timber like this. With decades of grime and oxidation on the surface, not to mention layers of dirt and yard debris, what would the inside hold? The first step was a good bath. It’s amazing what a pressure wash can do.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long to find out what was on the inside. With a few passes on the jointer, the long-lasting beauty of the wood was revealed. The walnut was a rich dark reddish-brown. The grain was tight, with plenty of character just in the first few boards.

As I began to process the pieces for the first milling, it was more and more exciting to see what would be revealed. The glue-up for a small table top took on the appearance of the planet Jupiter, with swirling clouds and even a spot reminiscent of the giant red spot.

Custom Furniture | Quality Materials | Hand Built in Colorado

Working with the wood was a dream. The concern was that after so many years it would have been hard and brittle. But no, it was just right. The moisture content was right at 8%, where we like it for Colorado custom built furniture. It milled up beautifully and is taking finish like a champ.

Creating bespoke furniture is not just about measuring twice and cutting once, but about choosing the right boards for the piece. At this level of detail we’re able to ensure that the character of the actual wood compliments the character of the finished work. A large dining table with the amount of grain and color movement shown here would be overwhelming, unless you’re going for a circus look. On the other hand, for a small table, this amount of character really shines. It the details that matter.

Make sure that your furniture craftsman is focusing on the details. Your investment in custom furniture deserves it. Details take time. Details take attention. Details take pride. How do you want to live?