DESIGN YOUR FURNITURE

The vast number of variables can make it overwhelming to imagine your own custom piece of furniture.
I created this design guide to help you help me plan and build the perfect custom design for you.

Explore wood species, slab style, live edge profile, leg design, & more.

1. PICK YOUR WOOD SPECIES:
I use and offer most hardwood species native to the United States, which all conveniently grow here in the midwest. Wood species not listed can always be procured.

The harder the wood, the more durable it will be! I recommend against medium-soft woods for dining tables when families have small children.
Hardness displayed on Janka Hardness scale in pounds-force (lbf) - Which range from Hickory (1,820 lbf) to Spalted Soft Maple (700 lbf)

Ash Hardness: Hard (1,320 lbf) — **Ash**
Hardness: Hard (1,320 lbf)

White Oak Hardness: Hard (1,360 lbf) — **White Oak**
Hardness: Hard (1,360 lbf)

Hickory Hardness: Very Hard (1,820 lbf) — **Hickory**
Hardness: Very Hard (1,820 lbf)

Red Elm Hardness: Medium Soft (820 lbf) — **Red Elm**
Hardness: Medium Soft (820 lbf)

Hard Maple Hardness: Hard (1,450 lbf) — **Hard Maple**
Hardness: Hard (1,450 lbf)

Cherry Hardness: Medium Hard (995 lbf) — **Cherry**
Hardness: Medium Hard (995 lbf)

Black Walnut Hardness: Medium Hard (1,010 lbf) — **Black Walnut**
Hardness: Medium Hard (1,010 lbf)

Spalted Maple (Soft Maple) Hardness: Medium Soft (700 - 950 lbf) — **Spalted Maple (Soft Maple)**
Hardness: Medium Soft (700 - 950 lbf)

Red Oak Hardness: Hard (1,290 lbf) — **Red Oak**
Hardness: Hard (1,290 lbf)

2. IF LIVE EDGE, SELECT YOUR SLAB STYLE / ORIENTATION:
Look closely at how many slabs of wood are joined together to make a table top - it is not always just one piece of wood!

Bookmatch_custom table_Los Angeles_live edge furniture_woodworking.jpg

‘Bookmatch’
Two matching slabs from the same log joined at a center seam (often symmetrically).

- Provides nearly perfect color matching.
- Stable.
- Pictured table is a 1-3/4” thickness

Big Tooth Co design_Fort Wayne Indianapolis Woodworking _walnut Dining custom Table.jpg

Multiple Slab
Three or more slabs joined together symmetrically. Often a requirement for wide tables.

- Can offer a variety of color.
- Most stable construction.
- Pictured table is a 1-3/4” thickness

Custom furniture maker_live edge coffee table_Woodworking Warsaw

Cookie
Single slab. Typically a coffee table or side table.

- End grain surface provides extreme hardness/durability.
- Pictured table is a 4” thickness

3. CHOOSE YOUR LIVE EDGE PROFILE:
What do you want the live edge of your table to look like, or do you not even want a live edge?

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Tame
As close to straight as a live edge gets. Typically does not include voids, knots, burls, bark, and branch scars.
- Total variance in table width: 1” - 2”

carmel_woodworking_wood_slab_dining_conference_table_live_edge_design.jpg

Wild
Stark contrasts in the organic shape of live edge throughout the entire body of the table. Often includes voids, knots, burls, bark, and branch scars
- Total variance in table width: 4”+

Custom Walnut Table_Woodworking Fishers_Furniture design_Indianapolis.jpg

Balanced
Noticeable movement in live edge sides which may or may not match. Can include voids, knots, burls, bark, and branch scars.
- Total variance in table width: 2” - 4”

walnut custom table_new york_woodworking_wood slab_dining table_live_edge.jpg

Hybrid
A perfect blend of geometric and organic. The corners of the table are cut square but transition to a natural live edge throughout the middle section of the table. Typically does not include voids, knots, burls, bark, and branch scars.
- Total variance in table width: 1” - 3”

4. IMAGINE YOUR LEG DESIGN:

…Coming soon