Custom Furniture

Feather Falls is a rustic executive desk designed by Kelly Maxwell Designs. This natural live-edge furniture design utilizes ethically sourced natural wood native to the USA. Inspired by the natural shape of the Bastogne walnut live edge wood slab used as its desktop. The Bastogne walnut was first discovered by Luther Burbank, a plant breeder, in the 1890s. It’s a hybrid species from crossbreeding California’s Claro walnut and naturalized English walnut.

This stunning Bastogne walnut wood slab serves as the focal point for the executive desk design. The live edge desktop features an infinity waterfall fold, creating a sleek and functional Feather Fall executive desk. The base cabinets are equally impressive, with an English walnut frame, mortise, and tenon-mitered corners. The panels feature a Claro walnut tree (feathers) crotch sequence, all cuts from the same tree. Enhanced by traditional wood joinery, this minimalist design includes mortise and tenon, pen and peg, and simple wood hinges. A natural hard wax finish protects the wood surfaces, ensuring durability and highlighting natural wood beauty.

The Feather Fall executive desk boasts push-to-open technology for the base cabinet drawers and door, complemented by a pen drawer carved from a Bastogne walnut wood slab. A sleek desktop organizer conceals a computer monitor that smoothly lifts from the base cabinet via a remote control or app. The desk has a discreet desktop cabinet, which provides electrical outlets, standard and C-USB ports, and extra storage space. The monitor cabinet has space for a small printer or extra storage, making this Feather Fall executive desk extremely functional.

We were inspired to create “The Conestoga” to tribute the iconic Conestoga wagon trunk. The Conestoga, a horse-drawn freight wagon, originated from the Conestoga Creek region of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. During that time, the Conestoga wagon trunks were functional for storing and concealing items. Some were hung on the wagon’s side, while others were on the back. This is our rendition of this iconic piece, reminiscent of the Conestoga wagon trunk era.

Wagon trunk

Anthony of Red Tail Forge Works in Tennessee selected a wrought iron flowering tulip hinge based on an 18th-century pattern. Found in the Early American Wrought Iron, Albert H. Sonn, Three Volumes in One, Plate 201.  Chest Hinges pg.186. “Figure 3. This elaborately wrought hinge of flowering tulip pattern decorates a chest owned by Mr. Francis C. Mireau of Doylestown, PA. It is 16 1/4” long by 5” in breadth and joins a plain strap-end member extending down the chest’s back. The handles, hasp, and other hardware are authentic Red Tail Forge Works designs inspired by the design used on Conestoga trunks.

Kelly chose English walnut wood with a figured flitch-cut for the wooden trunk. The trunk’s frame has dovetailed corners and features 16-inch-wide sequence cut planks. The dome top features a single wood plank, focusing on the feather pattern. Ring handles add decoration and functionality, while the latch and lock ensure security. The base has eight oval ring plates, which also conceal a secret. Note that the long sides have three plates each, with the two outer plates as keys to a tray at the bottom. To unlock the tray, turn the keys counterclockwise, pull the pins, and lift the trunk. To lock it again, turn the keys clockwise. This intricate design pays homage to the classic Conestoga trunk style.

A live edge table showcases a rustic, natural wood design crafted from a solid wood slab, preserving the tree’s natural edge. The craftsman intentionally leaves the organic curves and character of the outer edge, known as the cambium layer, intact instead of squaring or flattening all sides. Depending on the slab’s cut, the live edge may extend along two or more sides, originating from the main trunk or a root burl, resulting in unique shapes and features.

It’s important to note that “live edge” does not mean “bark edge.” During the drying process, bark often separates from the slab. True live edge artisans remove the bark early and work with the solid outer grain of the wood.

Live edge tables can serve various purposes, functioning as dining tables, coffee tables, accent tables, end tables, console tables, or any other table styles.

Why Are Live Edge Tables So Popular?

Live edge furniture is more than just a trend; it’s a return to nature. It’s inspired by nature’s inherent beauty and inviting it into your home. This growing popularity is rooted in;

• Biophilic design: We crave connection to nature. Live edge tables bring that connection right to the heart of the home.

• One-of-a-kind character: Every slab tells its own story found in its knots, cracks, curls, and curves. Formed throughout its life. No two pieces are alike.

• Heirloom functional quality: When appropriately crafted from ethically sourced solid wood slabs, these tables are built to last for generations.

• Rustic modern appeal: The live edge look blends seamlessly with cabins, modern farmhouses, luxury lodges, and nature-inspired interiors.

Not All “Live Edge” Is Equal: Real vs. Faux

Let’s cut through the noise. Some production furniture companies are carving artificial edges into standard lumber and calling it “live edge.” It’s not. That’s what we call a faux live edge—a carved imitation. Yes, it may simulate the look, but if it’s sculpted to resemble a natural edge, it’s not truly live edge—a common finding with a glue-up table built by mass producers.

Another common practice: glue-ups. Some woodworkers glue together several narrow planks and include two pieces with live edges to mimic a slab. These natural wood tables are much less expensive – often half the price of a true single-slab live edge table. They do not have a single-piece wood slab’s uninterrupted grain flow and natural character. At Littlebranch Farm, we only use solid live edge wood slabs. Hand-selected from ethically sourced logs, usually finished at 2″ to 3″ thick. Compare that with glue-up tables (multiple wood planks joined together) that are often only 1–1.5″ thick to save on costs.

Why Are Live Edge Tables So Expensive?

Live edge tables are priced higher than traditional lumber tables because live edge wood itself costs more to source, mill, and handle. The process is time-intensive and requires specialized equipment to mill massive slabs flat while preserving the natural edge. Add the rarity of finding wide, defect-free slabs in desirable species, and the price climbs.

Here’s what drives the cost:

• Slab rarity: Wide, long slabs with minimal defects are challenging to find. A massive Claro walnut slab measuring 4′ x 12′ x 3″ is significantly rarer and more valuable than a 6’ x 2′ x 3” walnut wood slab. Only a small percentage of trees make it to 3’ in diameter, 10’ in length, 4’ plus in diameter, and 10’ plus.

• Specialized milling: Live edge slabs must be milled carefully to maintain integrity. This requires 4’ wide and large sawmills and experienced sawyers to mill these slabs with precision.

• Wood species: Walnut, cherry, redwood burl, maple burl, and oak vary in cost and availability.

• Drying process: Air drying can take 5+ years for 3’ thick slabs to dry and stabilize. Kiln drying may speed it up, but it has its own issues.

• Handling and storage: Large slabs are heavy and require space and equipment to move and store properly, adding to costs.

• Craftsmanship: Every inch is shaped, sanded, and finished by hand. No assembly line shortcuts here.

• Finish quality: We use a durable, hardwax oil finish that is silky-smooth. not a plasticky polyurethane that hides the wood’s natural feel. Remember: wood is priced by the board foot, and premium slabs command premium prices.

What’s the Best Wood for a Live Edge Table?

Only a handful of the 60,000+ wood species on this planet make great live edge furniture. The United States is home to an astonishing 1000+ native tree species, with over 600 being commercially relevant wood species used for timber, furniture, cabinets, and other wood products. Our top picks:

• Claro Walnut: Deep, rich color with a dramatic live edge.
• Redwood Burl: Rare and full of wild figure. Often milled from salvaged root systems harvested from the forest floor.
• Black Walnut: A staple in American hardwoods—classic and strong.
• Cherry & Maple: Smooth-grained and work well for refined rustic looks.
• Oak: Durable and versatile, especially in burl form.
• Buckeye burl—stunning colors and unique burl wood grain patterns,
• We stick to ethically harvested logs—standing dead, storm fallen, salvaged, or selectively harvested. Nature provides when she’s ready.

How to Make a Live Edge Table?

Here’s how we build live edge furniture the right way:

1. Source a premium natural wood slab from our extensive in-house inventory through our network of woodmongers—air-dried Pacific Northwest hardwoods are our go-to.
2. Shape and sand—by hand. We follow the wood’s natural shape, not force it into a mold.
3. Stabilize and finish options depend on the design, cracks and voids will be filled with epoxy or left open. We apply Saicos Hardwax Oil for a durable, smooth, natural feel.
4. Mount to a custom base such as a reclaimed tree roots, natural logs, or sleek modern steel legs.
5. Inspect and refine—every table is gallery-grade, not factory-grade.

Examples from the Littlebranch Studio

We’ve been handcrafting rustic live edge furniture since 2001. A few favorites include;

• Claro Walnut dining table: Natural edge with a western cedar root base.
• Redwood burl high-top table: Paired with a salvaged stump base.
• Maple burl coffee table: Sanded silky smooth with a modern metal base.
• Cypress end-grain table: It has twin heartwood grain and steel supports it.

Visit our Nashville, TN studio to see how we bring these slabs to life.

Final Thoughts
A live edge table isn’t just a piece of furniture—it’s a functional work of art, a conversation starter, and a return to the wild beauty of the natural world. If you want a table that tells a story, look no further.

Made in Nashville, TN. Crafted from the soul of the forest.

Ready to bring nature home? Shop our live edge tables or contact us to customize.

The increasing popularity of using custom handcrafted natural wood furniture in interior design, as opposed to disposable big box store furniture, is making a comeback. This shift is aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. Typically, this style of furniture is crafted in small custom furniture studios rather than large factories, and it is built using solid natural wood instead of manufactured materials such as plywood or particleboard. While manufactured materials can create beautiful and comfortable products, they often do not stand the test of time and are not easily repairable, ultimately ending up in landfills. On the other hand, furniture made from real solid wood has proven to be durable and is often repairable or repurposed, contributing to a more sustainable approach.

Using wood furniture

“Wood is probably the most natural material out there and is used in every part of your home. Whether it’s in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, or bathroom, wood will bring warmth and balance to your home’s decor. Now, let’s explore how to incorporate wood furniture and natural wood decor into your interior design. Here are a couple of ideas that might help you.”

Wood bed frame

Whether the home’s décors rustic, contemporary, or modern, a handcrafted wood bed will complement the décor. Log beds are eco-friendly and relatively easy to build for a DIY project if you have the correct tools. With Youtube and other video options, you can learn how to make a log bed and different types of log furniture. These projects will take simple tools and some good old hard work, but the result is gratifying.

Reclaimed wood furniture

Handcrafted wood furniture

Giving old buildings and spaces a new purpose and turning them into family homes is another way to use our resources and salvage as much as possible. That’s why many homes feature old wooden beams. Instead of letting them rot and look ugly, the owners fix them and give them the love they deserve.

Repainting your old ceiling beams is so easy that you can do it year after year, constantly changing the look of your interior and keeping it fresh. You can also connect these beams with the exterior of your home and create a unique flow between your living room and patio. Of course, you’ll need a way to get in and out, too, so pick some solid timber sliding, visually attractive, rather elegant doors.

Fireplace mantel

“Nothing warms a room more than natural wood. A well-planned fireplace mantel or wood beam can make a big impact without breaking the bank. Whether it’s a hand-hewn reclaimed wood beam from an old barn or a live edge wood beam cut from a log found in the forest, both options will surely enhance your home’s decor. It’s no wonder that many of today’s interior designs incorporate natural wood beams, fireplace mantels, and wooden furniture as the foundation. By using paint or wallpaper to complement the natural beauty of the wood beams, you can add the perfect pop of color to your decor.”

An interesting fact is that a fireplace is one of the main focal points in a home. It is usually found in the gathering room, and either accents or makes a statement. A wood fireplace mantel milled from salvaged old-growth redwood with a gnarly live edge is always a showstopper. The method of mounting a fireplace mantel has evolved from using corbels to installing it as if it is floating.

Kitchen Wood countertop

Many people enjoy using natural wood in their kitchens. Some are choosing to paint their wood cabinets. But if you want to elevate your kitchen, consider adding a wood countertop. Instead of choosing marble, quartz, or granite, try using wood; you’ll feel like a professional chef in no time! Whether you prefer a butcher block countertop or an organic live edge wood countertop, your kitchen will impress your friends and family. Just like with natural wood furniture, asking questions and selecting an experienced woodworker is important. A few questions to ask are?

• How long have you been in business?
• What kind of finish is used, and is it non-toxic and VOC-free?
• How durable and repel water?
• How do you care for the finished product?

Real natural wood countertops, such as an island or bar top, will complement your kitchen decor.

Wood bathroom vanities

The bathroom is often overlooked in design but can be transformed with a custom live edge wood vanity. Wood has the power to enhance the aesthetic appeal of any space, including our private sanctuaries. Wood can create a serene and spa-like atmosphere when paired with natural stone. Whether you prefer a rustic or modern look, there are various bathroom vanity styles. Adding a high-quality wood vanity can bring elegance to your bathroom and even make it the focal point of your home. Remember that you can easily change the overall look of your bathroom by using accent pillows, paint, lighting, and other decor pieces. Opting for ethically sourced wood furniture is economically sensible and eco-friendly.

Many different types of bathroom vanities can fit into any space, so you can go as rustic or modern as you like. This little feature will bring a new dose of elegance into your bathroom and make it more appealing than ever—maybe even turning it into the focal point of your entire home!

Remember, changing colors through accent pillows, paint, lighting, and other decor accent pieces is always easy. Buying quality wood furniture crafted from ethically sourced wood makes sense—both in an economical and eco-friendly impact.

Let me guide you through the process if you consider building a live-edge table. I’m a self-taught, award-winning furniture maker based in Nashville, TN, known for my natural, live-edge furniture designs. Before diving into the building steps, let’s clarify what a live-edge table is.

A live edge table showcases the wood’s natural edge, emphasizing its organic beauty and character. This style not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a space but also brings a sense of nature indoors, making it a popular choice for many homeowners. The variety of wood species used can enhance the table’s uniqueness and fit in various decor styles.

Build a live edge wood table  

Choosing the right wood species is crucial for creating a beautiful and durable live edge table. Consider local options and ensure ethical sourcing practices. Maintaining a moisture content of around 10% is crucial for the stability and durability of live edge slabs, whether they’re kiln-dried or air-dried. This practice helps prevent warping and cracking, ensuring your furniture lasts for years. Old-growth Redwood is the most stable choice, but black walnut, Claro walnut, Oaks, and maple are also great alternatives.

With many wood yards to select from, Redwood Burl stands out. Hands down, they have the largest selection of live edge redwood, but you can also find a vast selection of hardwoods. They also have the largest selection of air-dried live edge wood slabs in the United States.

Along with a dry, straight wood slab, you will need it to be flat to build a table. Many wood yards offer this service for a fee, or you can do the job yourself with a DIY router sled. Remember, you will lose a quarter of an inch to one inch of thickness of your live edge wood slab in the flattening process.

I ruff cut my project to save preparation time. This approach also helps when I need to fill checks or holes in the slab with epoxy. Always remember to remove the bark! While the bark often falls off during the drying process, if it doesn’t, you can remove it using a wood chisel and coarse grit sandpaper.

Depending on the live edge wood slab and its final use, voids, checks, or holes my need to be filled. A fast cure works great for small voids but a for larger holes and check a deep pour will do the trick

Why are live edge tables so expensive? 

The cost of building a live edge table involves multiple factors, including wood species, slab size, and table base design. Understanding these elements helps you make a more informed decision when comparing options. The rarity and dimensions of the slab significantly impact its value, so it’s essential to consider all aspects when shopping.

You may have noticed prices range from under a couple of thousand dollars and up. Pricing a live edge table is complex, and you must compare apples with apples and understand what you are buying. As stated earlier, lumbers sold by the board foot. Prices differ from one wood species to another. Also, in the live edge wood slab world size of the wood slab has a factor in the price. For example, a Northern California Walnut 4′ wide 12′ long 3″ thick is rarer than 2′ wide 12′ long 3″ thick. Thus, the larger wood slab is more valuable. Wood species also have a factor in the cost of a live edge table. But not all trees make great live edge furniture. While the debate between kiln dried of air-dried how live edge woods cut, stored, and dried makes a difference.

Which woods make the best table? 

Building a rustic table 

Building a live edge table is a great DIY project. But finding quality wood can be difficult but not impossible. Air-dried wood takes 1 year per inch for most softwood species and longer for hardwood species. Kiln drying will speed this up, but the moisture should be around 16% before it is placed in a kiln. To date, I have been unable to find proof that one is better than the other. As a custom rustic furniture maker, my preference is air-dried wood. Building a live edge table, whether a coffee table or dining table, one of the key tips starts with quality wood, sand, and sand some more…..

Custom Rustic Furniture designs

Also, remember quality finish is not just in a can but rather a process. Woodworking, in general, is a process with many paths, as a custom furniture maker that specializes in rustic furniture and live edge furniture. Yes, these are basically the same style and use the same skill set. A live edge table’s also known as a rustic table, natural wood table, or burl wood table. Although a live edge table must have a living edge and the others, do not have that requirement. Besides a live edge table, we also use these ethically sourced live edge wood slabs in our wood countertops and our rustic vanity designs. We welcome visitors at our Nashville, TN, studio/gallery.

Live edge furniture maker 

Since 2001 Kelly Maxwell has built custom furniture using logs and live edge wood in his designs. He has a DVD teaching how to build a log bed. He welcomes the opportunity to teach and encourage other woodworkers, whether professional or DIY artisans. A little-known fact he also sells unfinished air-dried wood slabs native to the Pacific Northwest.

Say, have you ever seen a redwood? You know, those enormous trees they grow out west. What if I told you could have one for your own living room, at least part of it that is? Susan Watson found a creative custom furniture designer who makes those redwood dreams a reality. These may not be the sounds you immediately associate with Music City. But for Kelly Maxwell, the sound coming from his workshop at Littlebranch Farm is definitely music to his ears.

Custom furniture designer

There’s not a greater joy to me than taking a raw wood slab sanding it peeling back the layers to find the treasure inside.  We use live edge wood that is harvested from dead trees. To create unique, one-of-a-kind wood furniture pieces. Our wood most commonly comes from the Pacific Northwest. The trees get big out there. Such as the big leaf maple burls that we have in the showroom. Also, Claro Walnut burls, the buckeye burl wood, even the redwood burls. Because the redwoods pre-1960 were harvested pretty heavily, many stumps, roots, and logs were left on the forest floor and not used.

Natural wood Furniture in Music City

Wood that was once left behind as trash is now sought after and prized by custom furniture designer Kelly Maxwell. Kelly and his crew cut and then patiently sand, and finally applying their unique, natural hand rubbed finish to create custom live edge furniture that blends art and function. Kelly’s furniture is formidable but elegant at the same time. A definite conversation piece and almost impossible to resist. It’s rustic, but the finish is smooth as silk. That’s 100% technique because it’s all in the sanding and technique. As a Custom furniture maker, I like organic. I like natural beauty. I don’t like to stain the wood but use a simple hand-rubbed wood finish. Because I like to see the wood truly as it is.

Artistic but functional live edge furniture

Although they look rather unsightly from the outside, burls are a tree’s natural response to stress from an injury or viral or fungal infection. As the burl’s age, their colors and chaotic patterns create a distorted beauty. One that Kelly appreciates and highlights at Littlebranch Farm.

This is a big leaf maple burl out of Northern California, Oregon area. This is a burl that grew on the outside of the tree. You know burls can grow up on the tree or as a nodule or down in the ground. This one was actually growing around the tree. The tree was about 32 to 36 inches in diameter. You can see here the center of three. This burl just grew all the way around it. It is seven foot long. I believe it was probably a seven-foot round, but to mill it they actually cut it down on the sides to get it inside their mill. This burl is actually 62 inches wide by seven foot long. It’s amazing and beautiful burl wood!

Custom burl wood furniture

You might think that something so beautiful should be admired from afar, not subjected to something as messy as daily life, but that is precisely what Kelly designs for. It’s meant to be functional furniture. It is usable. It’s finished to be durable, to hold up. If you buy a dining room table, it’s meant to be used as a dining room table, not just to look at as a pretty art piece over here. Yes, it is art in the home, but there’s functional art. That’s what we create here. Wood is, in my opinion, the one component that warms a room. I don’t care if you’ve got a colonial style home or an ultra-modern home, contemporary, whatever that is, a natural piece of wood will warm that space and will fit. Because it’s part of nature. Yes, it’s part of nature. You’re just bringing a piece of nature into the house, into your home, into your life, where you can enjoy it every day.

Custom functional home decor

This live edge wood slab is going to be a hanging rustic vanity. We’ll actually flip it over, carve a sink into it, put the faucet down in it. Anthony, at Redtail Forge works, will make me up a set of chain mounting brackets. It’ll be able to hang from the wall and just be suspended. Kind of looks medieval.

The spacious showroom is filled with beautiful live edge tables, headboards, vanities, and mantels; however, for most clients, this is simply a point of inspiration. Most head on back to the workshop where they can browse through the hundreds of slabs that are waiting to be turned into someone’s special heirloom piece.

Furniture maker teaches how to sand wood!

Sometimes they want to come in and literally just pick up a sander and feel like they have contributed a portion to it. I take the time to educate them on the appropriate way to sand. Kelly understands the desire to be part of the process, to be part of revealing some hidden beauty in nature and maybe a hidden talent in one’s self. It was less than 20 years ago that he was working happily as a paramedic when his stepdaughter asked him to build some benches for her rustic wedding. With encouragement from friends and family, he took his work to a craft fair and sold it all. From that humble beginning, Kelly has built a name for himself with clients throughout the south and across the globe. He’s grateful that he gets to do what he loves and humbled that what he’s creating today will be bringing joy for many years to come. It brings me a lot of joy knowing that any of my pieces could be passed on from one generation to the next, and I think it’s great.

Heirloom Furniture