Summer 2026: Captivating Custom Designs
In 2026, I committed to more customization options. Entering my 4th year, I’m thrilled to announce a whole host of new options.
Yakisugi Style Tables
The origns of Yakisugi, or Sho Shou Ban, originated in Japan and dates back to at least the 18th century, if not much further. Yakisugi is the process of charing cedar to enhance protection from insects and moisture. Ironically, these just happen to be the two enemies of any table maker. The practice of charring the exterior of shelters solved several big durability challenges to early carpentry including: insects and their larve, moisture, warping, splitting, mold and mildew.
The chemical and physical properties behind this process are awesome for a nerd like me. For an end user like you, the applications extend far beyond exterior walls. Yakisugi tables make excellent outdoor tabletop options because of their moisture and insect resistance, but they are also very unique. The charring obviously discolors the the slabs, but features like curl and figuring still show through. What’s really nice is that you don’t need to use expensive walnut for a Yakisugi table, less expensive staples like maple and oak are just fine for this application because charred wood is all black, regardless of the species.
After the char, the table is sealed with penetrating epoxy to stablize the surface so fragile chunks don’t fall off and soot doesn’t end up on skin or white summer dresses or linens. For outdoor applications, the surface is uneven with micro-cracks and voids, depending on the intensity of the charring process, which yields a very rustic appearance. Yet, the jet black color adds an element of timeless, stunning elegance.
For indoor applications, epoxy can be added to create rivers, fill voids and add pops of color; epoxy is not recommened for outdoor applications. Silky smooth, uniform surfaces are achieved by using deep pour epoxy to encase the whole table in epoxy, similar to the photo above. Want a little more rustic, table top epoxy can be used on indoor projects to retain the same rustic, uneven surface characteristics as the outdoor version. Either option is a great way to achieve an incredibly unique and sophisticated design, particularly for the black/white color palettes utilized by many high-end interior designers.
Summer Newsletter Offer
Special Offer: 15% off of the first Yakisugi style table order received PLUS a guided fly fishing trip through my friends at the Maggie Valley Fly Shop.
Design an indoor or outdoor Yakisugi style table through Live Edge Exclusives and provide a 60% deposit by September 15, 2026. You’ll receive 15% off the entire build and you’ll receive a trip voucher for you and guest with Maggie Valley Fly Shop in Maggie Valley, NC. Then, simply call the fly shop and schedule your trip!
Locally Fabricated Custom Bases
Table bases can be tricky elements to any table design. The principal purpose of the base is to securely hold a 200 lb+ table top more than 30 inches off the ground, forever. Yet, no one likes to bang their knees or feet off of them and the the leg placements should certainly not create awkward seating arrangements. Then there are the aesthetics, traditional or contemporary, subtle or robust, ornate or simple?
I’ve been working pretty regularly with several vendors offering established designs made from steel with some basic customizable features like height and width. But they are usually powder-coated black or left as raw steel and simply sealed to prevent rust. Though the tables look great, I have increasingly become uninspired by most base offerings.
NOT ANYMORE!
I’ve recently started working with two local fabricators who aren’t afraid of challenges and are capable of welding materials including steel, stainless steel and aluminum. We can now design and build big beefy designs or subtle, intricate, ornate designs with the help of a CNC. I’ve also started working with local powder-coating company that offers a wide array of color options from black and brushed bronze to neon purple, similar to the seemingly endless color options of mica powder used to tint epoxy.
So far we’ve successfully installed a bar height kitchen table base in brushed bronze, an understated yet very functional base for a 10ft x 5ft conference table, and a robust base for a 12 ft x 3 ¾ ft Yakisugi table encased in epoxy and weighing well over 700 lbs. Each design required unique functional and aesthetic challenges. We are also able to produce these unique designs at price points below those of other vendors.
You are about to design the custom table of your dreams, a custom base will not only enhance the functionality of the table but push the “WOW” factor off the charts!
A New Addition to the Shop
The new Jointa Wood being delivered in August, 2026.
My clients overwhelmingly prefer big tables. Three of my last five builds and all six builds currently on the schedule are over 45 inches wide. Any order over 43 inches wide meant outsourcing flattening and rough sanding, adding frustration, time and costs to those builds.
NOT ANYMORE!
In August, a Jointa Wood slab and table flattener will arrive at the shop. I won’t bore you with all the technical details, except the ones that matter to you. I will now be able to flatten tables more than 5 ft 6 in (66 in) wide and 13+ft long in less than a day thanks to this unit. This will allow slabs to be more efficiently surfaced as they come out of the kiln, take bows, cups and twists out of slabs prior to epoxy pours and then quickly clean up river tables once the epoxy has fully cured and the piece is removed from the mold.
This will be the first known Jointa Wood flattening unit in North Carolina. Not only will it be available for in-house, commissioned projects, I’ll also be able to handle larger projects from DIY’ers building their own tables at home.
Spring 2026 Commissioned Projects
Upcoming Shows
Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show
September 18-20, 2026
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
The Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show is returning to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds September 18-20, 2026. Join us for 3 days of home improvement inspiration!
Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival
January 8-9, 2027
Meadow Event Park
13191 Dawn Blvd.
Doswell, VA 23047
The unique, educational, family-friendly Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival promotes a few of our favorite things: the outdoor lifestyle in general, the quiet sport of fly fishing in particular, and delicious Virginia wines and spirits.
Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival
January 15-16, 2027
Farm Expo Center, Lebanon, TN
The Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival is the only event of its kind in the country and attracts fly anglers from across the United States and the South in particular. Our unique event combines whiskey with everything you ever wanted to know about fly fishing but were afraid to ask.
