Live Edge Table Process:
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 Live Edge Table Process
The making of custom live edge table process 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.
This stage is one of the most important parts of the live edge table process, because it determines how the material will perform over time. Even exceptional slabs require patience, careful handling, and repeated evaluation before they can become a finished table.
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 as part of the live edge table process, helping 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.
Read More About Live Edge Tables:
Learn about slab selection, pricing, and the considerations that shape a custom live edge table.
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.
