At Little Branch Farm, we specialize in crafting live edge furniture that showcases the beauty of natural wood in its most authentic form. Since our establishment in January 2001, we have gained a reputation for creating award-winning, nature-inspired furniture. Over two decades, we have established ourselves as a leader in the rustic natural wood furniture industry.
What is Live Edge Furniture?
Live-edge furniture celebrates the natural character of wood by preserving a tree’s original contours, knots, and imperfections. Although the term gained popularity in online searches around 2011, the style has much deeper roots. Its history connects closely to the natural wood movement of the 1960s, when artists along California’s Highway 101 sold handcrafted tables made from live-edge burl wood. Influential mid-century artisans such as George Nakashima also helped popularize the aesthetic. His work showcased the organic beauty of wood and treated each slab’s natural form as an essential part of the design.
What is live edge wood?
A live-edge wood slab preserves the tree’s natural outer edge, revealing the unique curves and contours formed during its growth. The live edge lies beneath the bark, along the cambium layer and outer sapwood. No two slabs look alike: each one features its own grain patterns, knots, textures, and natural variations. These distinctive details give live-edge furniture its organic character and enhance the rustic beauty of nature-inspired designs.
We specialize in crafting functional live-edge furniture from ethically sourced logs and natural live-edge wood slabs in the United States. We’ve prepared a few questions for you to consider. This is an investment in a piece that we hope will become a cherished family heirloom.
Consider when buying live edge furniture
- What types of wood species are used in the furniture? Common wood species for live edge furniture are walnut, oak, maple, redwood, and elm. Each type has its unique characteristics; for example, walnut is known for its rich dark tones, while maple is lighter and has a fine grain.
- Finish and its durability? While there are many quality wood finishes, we use a durable hardwax on all of our natural live edge furniture designs. It is scratch- and stain-resistant and repels wine, water, soda, and more.
- When shopping online, are you viewing the actual item you’ll receive or just an example?
- Was the wood air-dried or kiln-dried? With over two decades as a furniture maker, we prefer air-dried wood, which takes 3 to 5 years to dry a 3″ thick wood slab. The appropriate moisture content for furniture should be 7 to 10%. See our blog for a deeper dive.
- What is your budget? Live edge furniture is an investment. Understand the price ranges and prioritize quality craftsmanship.
- Customization options: We offer customization to fit your specific design preferences and space requirements. Speak with our team to tailor your piece to your vision.
- What is the construction quality? Ask about joinery. Did they just use screws or real wood joinery?
Custom live edge furniture
In conclusion, at Little Branch Farm, we are committed to handcrafting high-quality live edge furniture for your home. With over two decades of experience, we take pride in our dedication to craftsmanship and sustainable practices. Each piece we create is a functional addition to your space and a work of art that tells a story. By choosing live edge furniture, you embrace the unique character of natural wood, celebrating its imperfections and individuality.
As you consider investing in a piece from our natural wood furniture collection. We encourage you to reflect on several key factors: the types of wood species, the durability of finishes, the drying process, your budget, customization options, and construction quality. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in ensuring that your live edge furniture becomes a cherished heirloom.
Nature-inspired Furniture
We invite you to explore our offerings and connect with our team to discuss how we can help you realize your vision for a unique and beautiful addition to your living space. Thank you for considering Little Branch Farm. Functional furniture inspired by nature, designed to transform your space.
