BEAUTIFUL THINGS TO COME

Welcome to a special edition of our monthly newsletter...one from the heart(wood).

Over the past few years, we’ve shared glimpses into our workshop — from the raw timber to finished masterpieces — and the artistry behind every piece we create. Today, I want to share a secret to wood grain that rings true for me and that may bring hope for you as we see the challenging year of 2025 to a close.

When we admire a beautiful piece of wood furniture, we’re really admiring a story of strength and perseverance.

The most interesting grain patterns—the flowing lines, gentle curves, and dramatic figures—are created where a tree worked the hardest and endured the most strain. These marks form as the tree supported heavy branches, stood up to wind and weather, and grew through years that weren’t always easy.

What makes the wood grain special isn’t perfection, but character shaped by pressure and time.

That idea feels especially meaningful for us as a furniture manufacturing business in 2025. When a tree holds up a giant branch with leaves and snow in strong winds, it builds a network of beautiful branch-junction grain to support it.

I want to take time here to celebrate our network; our incredible team, customers and suppliers who have been a part of our supportive grain this year and helped our company become stronger, with more depth, durability, and heart.

Wishing you a warm and wonderful winter holiday where your heartwood can rest and your new growth takes shape. May your table be full of friends, family and feasting this Christmas.

The trees prove it, beautiful things can come from the hardest of times.

Warmly,

Donna & the Live Edge Design Team

Branch-junction grain in walnut private dining table at Toro Toro, Dallas.

Celebrate the beauty of wood grain🌿

At Live Edge Design, every slab has a story. Some of the patterns we cherish are created when nature itself leaves its mark: maple figuring, formed by the stress of a branch, or spalting, a coloration caused by fungi, both result in patterns that are entirely one-of-a-kind. These natural details are what make each piece distinct and remarkable.

Our workshop isn’t just about showcasing natural patterns — it’s about bringing them to life in ways that inspire and delight.

A recent commission in Western Maple with clear resin, walnut butterfly details and Shou sugi ban finish base.

Spalted Maple. A roadmap of black and blonde lines throughout the grain.

Ash is one of the woods we work with for its open pores. This makes it ideal for custom stains, and it shares many of the beautiful qualities of maple (while being more budget-friendly). A walnut-stained ash table, for example, highlights its rich grain and natural character, while maintaining a sophisticated, uniform finish.

Ash with walnut stain

Our live edge slab “cookies”, crosscut slices of logs about 3” thick, showcase the natural shape and grain of each log, making them perfect for décor, furniture, or art pieces.

Each radial line of grain in a cookie tells a story, a particularly difficult Winter will appear as a thin, darker line, whereas a wet and wonderful Spring will show as wide and brighter lines.

Cookie side table

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Stay tuned for more insights, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories from our workshop. Whether you’re a designer, a hospitality professional, or a lover of beautiful wood, there’s always something new to discover.

Follow our #woodgrainwednesday hashtag on Instagram to see more.

Book a lunch and learn session for your team and build your wood knowledge with us.

Book a Lunch and Learn with our team!

SANTA'S WORKSHOP

Thank you so much for all the elves that came out for our annual Santa's workshop event. This year we were able to build 24 sets of stacking tree house toys for a local elementary school, and build one epic gingerbread house out of cardboard with the kids. The sales of these toys go 100% to a food hamper program for families in our community.

Stephanie at Plentifill in Duncan has a few sets still available and it's not too late to contribute as the school that this supports has year-round gifting to their families.