From Raw Slab to Live Edge Table

The process behind every custom live edge table begins with material selection, then evolves through shaping, stabilization, finishing, and installation—each stage guided by the relationship between wood, proportion, and space.

The Process

Every custom live edge table begins long before the first cut—with the search for the right material. The goal is simple: to source exceptional wood capable of carrying a project from concept to a finished piece that feels grounded, permanent, and specific to its environment.

Selecting the Slabs

For this Los Angeles commission, the setting defined the direction. The table was designed for a dining space framed by floor-to-ceiling glass, where natural light shifts throughout the day. It needed presence without heaviness—a large live edge walnut dining table capable of anchoring the room while remaining visually restrained.

Choosing Claro Walnut

To achieve that balance, we sourced a pair of air-dried Claro walnut slabs with expressive figure and naturally restrained proportions. Their slimmer profile allowed for a ten-seat layout while maintaining a refined silhouette—an essential consideration in modern Los Angeles interiors where openness and scale work together.

Flattening and Stabilizing the Wood

Once in our Los Angeles workshop, the slabs are flattened and left to rest. This pause allows the wood to settle naturally and ensures long-term stability before moving forward. From there, the joinery process begins, followed by careful surface preparation and fine sanding that gradually reveals the full depth and movement of the grain.

Finishing the Surface

For the finish, we selected a flat acrylic clearcoat. Rather than amplifying contrast, it softens the tones of Claro walnut, allowing the natural form and figure of the wood to remain understated. As light moves across the surface, the grain shifts subtly throughout the day, creating a quieter and more architectural presence.

Custom Base Fabrication

The base is developed in parallel with the tabletop. For this piece, we selected custom cast-iron wishbone legs finished in soft satin bronze—structural, precise, and intentionally minimal. Through ongoing collaboration with Los Angeles metal fabricators and blacksmiths, we create bases that provide durability and refinement without competing with the wood itself.

Refining the Final Composition

Before finalizing the build, multiple slab orientations are explored to identify the most compelling grain movement and balance. For this table, a book-matched configuration was selected, creating near-symmetry that brings clarity to the organic form—an important detail in contemporary Los Angeles interiors where clean lines meet natural materials.

Custom Live Edge Tables Built in Los Angeles

Each table is designed and built in Los Angeles using carefully selected hardwood slabs sourced throughout California and Hawaii. From dining tables and conference tables to coffee tables and console tables, every piece is shaped around the relationship between material, architecture, and long-term use.

Let's Create Your Piece

Explore available slabs or view completed pieces to begin shaping your own custom table.

What begins as raw material ultimately resolves into a custom live edge table shaped by its environment, built in Los Angeles, and designed to last for decades.