Timeworn Timber

In September 2022, my quest for live edge furniture transported me to Indonesia, where our architect and I set out on an exploratory visit to a small rural woodworking village. We spent a day walking through its narrow streets, stepping into tiny workshops and open-air sheds, watching skilled carpenters transform raw slabs of hardwood into stunning furniture. I didnt have a shopping list —just an appreciation for craftsmanship and an eagerness to discover unique pieces. If something caught my eye, we bought it, even without knowing exactly where it would end up in my home. That trip led to most of the tables and consoles that now grace our home.

Mahogany dining table

One of the standout finds from this trip was a massive mahogany dining table—a single slab, four inches thick, roughly ten feet long by three feet wide. It had a natural crack, but instead of seeing it as a flaw, the craftsman had bowtie joints added in a contrasting wood to stabilize it. The result? A striking blend of nature and craftsmanship, turning a simple dining surface into a statement piece.

Irregular shape table

In the living room, we placed a teak occasional table with the most unpredictable shape. There’s no symmetry, no straight lines—just a raw-edged, organic form that somehow fits perfectly between two teak and rattan lounge chairs. It’s proof that sometimes, the best design is the one you don’t try to control.

Outdoor bar table

A roughly triangular live edge teak slab table has found its home in our outdoor bar, paired with five teak root chairs mounted on swivel bases. The setup feels casual yet sculptural, rugged yet elegant. Sitting there with a drink in hand, looking out towards the garden, makes every moment feel like an escape into nature.

Floral coffee table

In the northeast corner of the garden, an elevated area among boulders now hosts another striking table—a roughly floral-shaped teak slab placed on metal legs and built at site. Paired with teak root swivel chairs, it creates an intimate, natural setting, perfect for quiet reflection or lively conversation under the open sky.

Teak root console on east deck

In a dusty corner of a small shed, I stumbled upon two stunning teak root consoles, almost forgotten amidst piles of wood. Their twisted, sculptural forms immediately caught my attention. Now, they sit gracefully on our two east-oriented decks, facing a spectacular view of Nandi Hill. Their rugged, organic presence contrasts beautifully with the open sky and rolling landscape.

Embedded rock root table and teak root bench

Perhaps the most unique piece of all sits on the deck outside the living room. This coffee table is a substantial chunk of teak root, still cradling the rock that the tree once grew around. It’s a reminder of nature’s resilience, frozen in time. To complement it, we added a single-piece curved teak root bench, its seat naturally rising into a backrest. It’s as much a sculpture as it is a seating arrangement. Two teak root swivel chairs complete the setting.

But there was one piece that needed a different approach—the family room table. Inspired by the legendary George Nakashima, it was the one design I thought through from scratch. To bring it to life, I made a second visit back to Indonesia, ensuring it was crafted just as I envisioned. See this post.

Now that these tables and consoles have found their places, I can’t imagine this home without them. Most were impulse purchases, yet somehow, they seamlessly fit into the home’s design. Each piece has a backstory - the history of the wood, the skilled hands that shaped it, and the thrill of discovery.

...About croaks and creaks

...Moving the Moai