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This is the bullpen, our inventory of Lumbergems not yet made into furniture.
First, from the left, are two matching pieces of bubinga for a coffee table set that is in progress. The larger piece is 48: x 28" x 7/8" and the smaller is 23" x 23" x 7/8".
The next two pieces are fire lace sheoak from Australia (the only location in the world).. The colors graduate from the blonde sapwood edge to reds, oranges, violet, brown, and then the burnt edge. You cannot help but wonder why nature goes to such extremes of design for the inside of its trees. The sapwood edge is live with prickly spikes. Protection from wood poachers I guess. These would be perfect for couch end-tables. Once the ends are squared, each piece will be 38" x 11" x 1".
This next piece is from a mahogany root stump. It exhibits an iridescent ghostly glow that is unusual for mahogany Two edges are natural with a dark, almost burnt skin. The other two ends are hand-crafted modified bullnose that show the grain as it wraps under to the bottom face. I see this being the table top for an entry hall table. The entire piece measures 47" x 11-1/2" x 1-1/4".
On the floor and the next picture is French walnut burl. The intense figure of this wood is like a Rorschach test. (what do you see?) Two edges show deep protective spikes. This would make a great inset lamp table between two L-shaped couches. The rectangle portion measures 26" x 16" x 2". Adding in the foot, it measures 26" x 31" x 2".
For those who want only the best, this is it.
Lumbergem™ Furniture
What is a Lumbergem? Most wood used in furniture is fairly plain. There are exotic species, however, which display different color and grain than normally used in mass produced furniture.
Within these exotic species, there are a few truly exception slices that stand above the rest in figure, color, and sometimes shape when natural edges are involved. Only those really spectacular examples of various species make the grade to be called a Lumbergem.
I liken Lumbergems to the gemstone minerals such as lapis lazuli, picture jasper, and jade that I used to work with as a jewelry designer of 15 years. These natural materials usually came to me already beautified by a lapidary. Here, exotic wood furniture making requires me to apply lapidary principles to raw unique wood specimens.
What is Lumbergem furniture? A Lumbergem is used in its solid form, not as veneer facing. This creates special challenges for the furniture it goes into. The functional challenge is that it should remain indoors and in a relatively dry environment because wood expands and contracts as its cells expand and contract. This is why we don't recommend using solid wood in bathrooms for instance.
The design challenge is matching different pieces of wood in the same piece of furniture, a problem usually overcome by using sequential slices of veneer. In Lumbergem furniture, the harmonizing of features is done at a design level, not at the materials level.
What is the value of a Lumbergem? Like a fine gemstone a Lumbergem can be pulled out of its current furniture and be reset. It also has the thickness to be completely refinished many times so that the furniture itself can last forever. It is an investment in the very best of a rare earth material that can be passed on from generation to generation.
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