Handmade Custom Unique Couch Table
Background
After completing a main floor renovation that took their home from a late 80’s appearance to a modern completely open space full of natural light, this client wanted a coffee table to fit with their new furniture and decor. They met Aether through ‘word of mouth’ and commissioned us to make the table for them. Through conversations it turned out they didn’t want the typical ‘coffee table’ style but something to match the new look of their home. We landed on the idea of a ‘couch table’ that would meet their wants and needs.
Inspiration – “I love the shape of this piece of wood, what can we do with it? We need to use it!”
While on a client visit to one of our lumber suppliers we found this piece of live edge, Canadian Walnut, which was rough but had an inspiring ‘S’ shaped curve.
We love our table more and more as time goes by. The comments we get when people see it are amazing to us. It fits our space and home perfectly and meets our original idea of a ‘couch table.’ When people come over they always ask, what is it and where did you get it? Thanks!
Our Materials
Top – made using a piece of live edge Canadian walnut, its’ ‘S’ curve shape was extenuated and forms a 7’ long x 18” table.
Legs – we used 2” tube metal, ½” round bar stock and 1” plate steel to form the legs. We developed a set of legs that work with the shape of the wood and contact the floor on three points.
Our Process
The first thing that stood out in the space was how open and full of natural light the sitting room was. The renovation included large grey tile format throughout the main floor with dark hardwood in the sitting room. The walnut top and modern take on legs blends the natural wood element with the modern renovation perfectly.
We developed a set of legs that don’t match but added a subtle complexity to the piece. When people see the table they don’t immediately recognize that the legs are different. When pointed out the comment is ‘it sets the piece off but it’s natural’.
The legs were left unfinished and are waiting for a certain level of rust to form before we seal them. The clients really like the idea and appreciate it as a design feature to the piece, as it supports the blending of natural with modern and softens the metal legs.
To provide an amazing finish we spent a lot of time preparing the live edge bark, sanding the face and finishing it with 8 coats of hand applied Tung Oil. With each layer the finish became more vibrant, the grain pops and gives that deep 3D look.
To say we were pleased with how this piece turned out is an understatement. Once again, the blend of manufactured and natural raw materials blends together to offer a natural, modern, industrial looking piece to this amazing home! We are stoked to be a part of it!
