A Relaxing Oasis in Boston, MA
Imagine waking up and feeling refreshed. Working and feeling inspired. When I look at these images I am reminded, nature is the true designer. Something so peaceful about the mix of materials, light and nature.
When I began working on this walnut slab, I envisioned it as a communal table in a restaurant. Piecing it back together with its other half when a large party wanted to sit together. How wrong I was... This piece wasn't meant for that. It was meant to bring a sense of purpose to this room. To say "I once was broken, but now I am whole. This is where I belong".
My Pith series has been my most unexpected success story in the shop. By taking these often discarded boards, and putting them back together we have found a new purpose. The "Pith", refers to the center of the tree and represent the 1st year of growth. It is a soft, spongy material and generally this board will split right down the middle because of this. But there is another meaning to this word, "The essence of something".
Crafting these pieces takes time, thought, and planning. It all starts at the mill. We take careful measurements when beginning our cuts because your 1st cut dictates how your last cut ends. These cuts are often planned to remove the pith from all other boards. Making them more stable and less likely to crack during the drying and building process. As I mentioned earlier, once these boards have dried they are likely to crack along the pith. We reinforce the cracked boards together again using a variety of techniques (Mortise and Tenon, Bowties, Epoxy, etc...). Here you can see our process and inlaying bowties (other names include butterflies, Dutchmans keys, etc...):
It is our hope that we can continue to salvage these boards to create truly one of a kind heirloom pieces for years to come. Thank you for reading and please feel free to comment or share below!
Reclaiming Pieces of History
Reclaimed chestnut beams for flooring and tables
Old Barns in New England (Hampden, MA)
This particular barn looks to be about 200 years old and has reached the end of its life. It will come down, and it will be repurposed. It is important to identify what is worth saving an what is not worth saving. This barn is constructed with chestnut, southern yellow pine and hemlock timbers. There is no doubt that these timbers can be repurposed into something beautiful for residential or commercial applications. We repurpose reclaimed beams into the following:
- Flooring
- Tables
- Benches
- Faux Beams
If you are interested in having a piece of furniture made from reclaimed material, please contact us. Or if you have material that you think we would be interested in please contact us.
Ultimate Guide To Buying And Maintaining A Table
Everything you need to know about purchasing a custom live edge table.
Measure the space
There is nothing worse than buying a piece of furniture only to find it won't fit in your beautiful new space. As the woodworking proverb goes, "measure twice, cut once". However, we are in the "board shortening department". It is a good rule of thumb to leave at least 3 feet all the way around the table. This gives plenty of room for chairs to slide in and out without hitting the walls. For example, If I have a dining room that is 15' long x 10' wide I would be looking at a maximum of 9' long x 4' wide for my table (assuming there is not major walkways/other furniture). While it is nice to always see your table, you don't want to be bumping into or walking around it constantly.
When it comes to shapes, you have options
Depending on the size of your room, a certain shape table may be more suitable to your space. Here are the options:
Family size = (+/-) Table size
In general you want to allow 24"/person at the table. Chairs are typically 18-20" wide (its always good to check your chair size). Think about the way you entertain. If you serve family style think about adding some width to your overall table (remember to use trivets/potholders under hot pans).
Table Base Options
You can really change the look and feel of any table by choosing the right base. It is also important to remember that the base of your table is functional and not just for looks.
Pedestal base - Recommended for round tables. Turnings are Made from 100% solid wood of your choice
Trestle Base - A classic design that is visually appealing while providing the necessary strength. This style also allows you to place chairs/benches around the table without hitting your knees.
Four Legs and Aprons - A traditional farmtable base. Legs and aprons are mortise and tenoned together for strength and longevity.
Cast Iron - Hands down one of the best solutions for slab tables. I don't think there is a better look in the industry right now (but im biased). This is our most popular base.
Design and Style
We suggest working with an interior designer if you are unsure about which direction to go. It is important to remember you are investing into your home, family and life. A designer can lead you in a direction you never thought could be achieved in your space. Crafting a balanced and truly one of a kind space that fits you and your family's lifestyle. If you would like to work with our list of designers please contact us.
Material options
This is where Hopes Woodshop stands on its own. Because we own and operate our own sawmill we control the flow of materials in our shop. We like to stay true to the natural characteristics of our material. Celebrating the colors, knots, cracks, voids, inclusions, live (natural) edges, etc... The majority of our inventory is slabs that are sawn in sequential order. This gives you the ability to match pieces together for perfect symmetry and grain patterns. We stock dimensional lumber in the same fashion. We specialize in the following Live edge slabs and boards:
Single slab, Book-match, Glue-up etc...
We specialize in live edge slabs. Not every table needs to be live edge though. For example if you wanted a single slab (tree slice) but wanted it to have a square edge that is possible. Here are some of the options we offer:
Details (Butterflies, Voids, Knots)
Some things are going to be a given when dealing with big live edge slabs. They are more susceptible to cracking during drying and they are not graded. Therefore they are going to have some cracks, knots, voids, etc... This is where we sharpen our tools and get busy. It is in these details we are able to make truly one of a kind pieces of furniture. Nothing fake about it, we roll with whatever the tree throws at us. If you want us to simulate a live edge, you might need to go somewhere else. We stay as natural to the process as possible. Hand flattening each board so we can study the life of the tree. Here are a few details we love to showcase in our furniture:
The Finish
Every table we make we finish. Lately we have been using Rubio Monocoat on all of our pieces and we have been very pleased. This is an extremely safe product for us and your family. It is durable and will stand up to the daily wear and tear.
Closing Remarks
We hope this post has pointed you in the right direction. If you have any further questions in regards to your custom project please feel free to contact us here:
Also watch this quick video on the story of Hopes Woodshop
Massachusetts Farm Tables now ready for delivery
Custom farm tables made in Western MA
Since opening our massive woodshop in Western Massachusetts we have been making additional pieces that are ready to ship. We offer tradition farm tables that are affordable, solid wood, and made to last generations. We have one of a kind slab tables that have characteristics unique to each piece. If you would like a custom table made we can pick through our inventory of slabs and lumber to see if anything works with your dimensions and vision. Here are some pieces that we have in the warehouse for purchase right now:
5' Walnut Boston Farm Table
A classic design for any home
Butternut Slab Rounds
Unique and rare to find butternut slabs this large
6' Berkshires Sugar Maple Table
Bookmatched and nicely figured with black accents
9' Slab Table with cast iron base
Origin: John Adams Museum in Quincy MA
5' Black Walnut Slab with Butterfly Joints
This could be a table, coffee table, or a headboard
7' Greenwhich Ash Farm Table
Photos coming soon!
Shop is open by appointment unless your in the area and want to roll the dice:) If you are interested in learning more about any of these item or something else please schedule an appointment or send us your info below. We would also love to hear you! Please comment below and feel free to share with friends and family. Without you guys, we are just making expensive firewood:)
Refresh with a Modern Desk
A modern desk for any home or office
The Mel Desk
I created this design for my wife who is a Photographer. She really just needs a jumping station for her notebook, phone, and laptop. The idea was to create a desk that took up minimal space, could be placed in the center of a room, and could be used as a table if needed while still being special.
The Top
Each desk is crafted with a 1-1/2" thick top and measures 48" long x 24" wide or 60” long x 30” wide. The idea is to keep this space as clean as possible and only see what you need or want. Working on melamine, laminate, or other wood veneers are ok but nothing is better than the look and feel of natural hardwood. I don't use softwood or pine, because these are not durable enough to keep up with you. The top is set down on the base to keep papers, pens +pencils, computers, etc... from falling off the edges. Corners are smooth and rounded over to avoid a harsh edge on your arms and wrists.
The Base
Im not sure I could complete this design without the mitered legs. It has a very modern look but the feel and strength of traditional mortise and tenon joinery that will last. The legs measure 1-3/4" thick and 3" wide to provide strength without looking over built.
FAQ
Do I have to use a coaster on wooden surfaces?
No, we use RubioMonocoat finish that provides the protection while still giving you the look and feel of the wood.
Can this item ship?
Yes. This desk can be knocked down into 3 pieces and boxed for curbside shipping. Assembly is a breeze. Also, if and when you move you can take it apart again for easy transportation.
Can I add a drawer or cabinet?
Sure, just contact us to learn more about customizing your desk to fit your needs.
Purchase
Mel’s Desk is a simple desk with style for days. Available in white oak and walnut in two different sizes (48” long x 24” wide and 60” long x 30” wide). Please give us 4 weeks to complete your order.
If you would like a custom wood or stain, please contact us for more information.
Woodworking classes for Winter 2018
Attention woodworkers, non woodworkers and everyone in between!
We are excited to launch the opening of our custom furniture shop here in Western Massachusetts. To celebrate we will be offering our very own brand of furniture making classes at our Woodshop in Three Rivers, MA. For the first class we are going to open the shop for 6 people to make your very own slab coffee table. The best part is, the course is going to be free. You just have to pay for your materials (have to buy from us). If things go well we will add more throughout the year. See details below:
Course Offering
- Slab coffee table - We will give you a $50 credit to purchase the slab that you like best. I will work with you to create something that fits your space and design aesthetic. In the course we will flatten and sand the slabs smooth. We will fill and patch voids as needed and to your liking. Bases will be (4) round tapered legs (Don't have a photo because I sold the model:/....) . Limit is 6 people. Cost is just material. Course will be Saturdays from 9-2 for 4 weeks starting Jan 13th.
To sign up for this course contact us here! I look forward to seeing some new faces in the shop and traveling down this woodworking journey together.
Cheers!
Marc
Live edge furniture showroom now open in Massachusetts
Located exactly 1 Lumineers album, 1 cold brew, and 4 "where is this place"(or 1 hr) outside Boston MA.
How far away?
NYC- Two and a half // Providence - Hour and fifteen // Hartford - Hour //Boston - Hour and ten
Why you should come out
Have you ever experienced furniture being made? Creating beautiful heirloom tables and furniture from one solid tree is something everyone should see for themselves. It will change the way you see furniture forever.
What to expect on arrival?
At the time of me writing this post, we still have no sign on the building. That said, if you use Google Maps it will bring you directly to us and I put a photo of main entrance on Google. Now lets get down to the nitty gritty details:)
A large selection of lumber is always our first priority. After we mill the trees at our sawmill and dry them to 5-10% moisture, they come to "chill" in our showroom. You can pick out the slab/boards that you like with me right there saying "This tree came from a guy named mike, he was a good guy and we took the tree because he wanted to plant a garden". The stories are free. If you want to peruse by yourself thats cool, Ill stay busy until you're ready to talk. Saturdays can be crazy, so if you want my undivided attention I recommend making an appointment. Music is a must for the woodshop (I like Mumford and sons and Bon Iver) so thats whats normally playing.
What kind of furniture do we make/sell?
The good kind. Heres a quick list of tables we make and have for sale on a regular basis:
- Traditional Farm Tables with 4 legs, aprons and breadboard ends
- Slab Table with/without live edge (Single Board, No glueup, Tree Slice)
- Live edge Book matched table tops and cast iron bases
- Wood Slab Queen and King sized beds
- Modern Windsor Chairs by O&G
- Benches and stools
Delivery?
We do have some things that are grab and go but for the most part its small batch production WIP (works in progress). Lead time is 4-6 weeks which is down from 8-10 Weeks, woot woot!!! We off white glove service that can be purchased. Shop pickup is free.
Things to do when you visit?
Let me know if you find anything?!?! If you're like me, the only thing on your mind is "where can I eat"? Here are my recommendations:
Breakfast: Pan'e Dolcetti - Really bomb tomato Mozzarella sandwich on homemade focaccia bread and coffee to boot.
Lunch/Dinner: Pinnochios Three Rivers - Literally right over the bridge from the warehouse. Great Italian food. A little carboload for the ride home (Someones falling asleep for sure).
We are 15 minutes away from Brimfield Antique Flea Market, so definitely plan on swinging by before or after you head out to that flea market jazz.
Make an Appointment here
Live edge slab tables with cast iron bases
Wood Selections
Single Slab
We utilize uniform slabs so the shape of the table is consistent throughout. Generally 40% Markup depending on material.
Bookmatched Live Edge
You can do any of our tables with or without the live edge. We always remove the bark. With book matched tops, we are able to achieve wider widths like 40-46" wide with just 2 boards. These are sawn in sequence from the same tree so the grain and color matches.
Bowties, fills, and add ons
We only put bowties where they need to be. These are structural and are crucial in maintaining the integrity of the slabs. We always epoxy voids in the tables so nothing finds its way in and can't get out.
Company Boards - We offer custom table extensions for when you have those family get togethers and need a little more space. These are stored in a closet when not being used, and put in when the Turkeys ready!
Cast Iron Bases
We have partnered up with Ares Iron based in Providence RI to offer you one of a kind pieces.
We will continue to update our inventory with Slab table tops that are available to pair with these bases. To see more please visit the "Shop" tab on our website. Also, if you have a specific request please feel free to contact us.
John Quincy Adams Beech Tree
Salvaging a Beech Tree from Adams National Historic Park in Quincy MA. This tree is believed to be from the 1800's.
Salvaging a small piece of New England History
It's always a sad day when these beautiful giants have reached the end of their life. However, due to safety concerns this tree needed to be removed. Because of our work these trees go on to become much more than firewood. The team at Adams National Historical Park will repurpose the lumber for their own use. We cant wait to see what will become of this beautiful tree.
Book matched Slabs now for sale + Updates
Black Walnut bookmatched sets and updates
We are now offering Bookmatched Walnut slab table tops on the site. Purchase them as is or we can make a table for you. If you are a large woodworking shop and would like to purchase the lot as well as other sets, please contact us for more information.
Updates
We have some large trees coming through the yard soon. 42" x 10' longs slabs of Butternut are in the works, as well as some large Walnut slabs. There is still time to get in on these but hurry, as the list is filling up fast.
The Nyle Kiln is running now until mid-August. If you would like to throw in some lumber in our next run please let me know. We should have some 2"Walnut and Butternut in there.
We will be showcasing our new line and slabs at the Fine Furnishing show in Pawtucket RI on November 4-6 2016. If you're interested in going let me know, I have some VIP passes I can give you. We will also be having an after party, so stay tuned for more on that (might just end up at Doherty's).
We still have a good amount of Wormy Ambrosia Maple. Please let me know if your interested as it would make beautiful flooring, paneling, or cabinetry. $2-$3 board foot.
Thanks as always for the support and we cant wait to hear from you soon!
Cheers!
Marc
New additions to Lumber 06/20/16
We have some new arrivals at the sawmill. If you are interested in purchasing dimensional lumber or slabs please contact us. This is our cut list for June/July 2016:
- American Elm - 9'Long x 48" dia (We are going to do 2-3" Slabs for table tops)/
- American Elm - 10' Long x 36" dia (2-3" slabs for table tops)
- American Elm - 10' Long x 30" wide x 24" Dia (dimensional stock 4/4 and 8/4)
- Ambrosia Maple - 4000 board feet milled at 4/4
- Spalted Sugar Maple - 7' Long x 36"dia (milled into slabs for table tops).
- Cherry - 16' long x 22" dia (dimensional stock)
- Cherry - 8' long x 24" dia with crook (2" slabs)
- Silver Maple (8' Long x 30" Dia (2-3" Slabs)
We are always on the hunt for more beautiful locally harvested logs. As we find them we will continue to share them with you. If you have some trees and would like to save them from the chipper or fireplace, please contact us.
Cheers!
Marc
““And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
”
Specialty Lumber and Slabs
Specialty lumber available for sale in Massachusetts. Everything from dimensional lumber to live edge slabs now available. Black Walnut, Butternut, Cherry, Maple, Oak, and Ash.
Videos of The Mill
The Lumber
Sometimes the trees grow in a way that isn't suitable for larger mills. Instead of looking for strictly clear lumber, I am looking for things like (character, figure, bug holes, spalting, etc...). The trees that we currently cut are species that grow in New England. They include but are not limited to the following:
- Black Walnut
- Cherry
- Ash
- White Oak
- Red Oak
- Soft Maple
- Hard Maple
- Pine
- Hemlock
Building with lumber that I have sawn gives me great pleasure. I have known the tree throughout the entire process.
Selling Lumber
We sell to Woodworkers, Furniture Manufacturers big and small, Builders, Architects, Interior Designers, and DIY Homeowners. We can custom saw any species in any amount for you as well. To purchase lumber or for questions please fill out the form below:
Trees and tables made in Rhode Island
Buying furniture can be confusing and difficult. Often times this is because we dont know where to begin... Building furniture here in Rhode Island gives us a great advantage because we are able to locally source our lumber, meet with clients, and deliver our pieces without much travel.
Here at Hopes Woodshop we pride ourselves on making sure that we are sustainably harvesting local trees. This means we primarily use trees that may have come down in a storm or were yard trees that were dangerous for homeowners and their homes.
6 months ago I received a phone call at 7am from a friend that the Sugar Maple tree was coming down in front of her home in Providence, RI. I jumped out of bed and rushed to see if I could save this log from being firewood. As you can see from the photos below, I was successful!
We work with a local Sawmill in Coventry RI, that take these trees and mill them into usable lumber that we can build our furniture with. Once the lumber is milled, the drying process begins. This takes anywhere from 1-2 years until the lumber has reached its optimal moisture content of 7-10%. Below are photos of the stickering and stacking process.
In 2 years we will begin hand selecting boards from this pile to become furniture. What they will become? Only time will tell...
To learn more about wood movement and moisture content please check out "Understanding Moisture content and wood movement".
Check our these links for more information:
Giving back
Hopes Woodshop giving back to the local community in Pawtucket RI. We worked with BVCAP Youthbuild to teach their students about woodworking and sustainability.
BVCAP Youthbuild
Starting in March 2013 Hopes Woodshop was asked to participate as a volunteer organization to help educate the participants of the Blackstone Valley Community Action Programs (BVCAP) Youthbuild program. I didn't hesitate, and accepted the responsibility of meeting with these students every Wednesday for the next 9 months.
Hopes Woodshop was just getting off the ground. We had our first real shop, a collection of used machines, and just enough to make it work.
A view from the first woodshop located on Manton Ave in Providence RI
Sometimes in life you need to take a leap of faith and trust that your doing the right thing. Even though it was hard, money was tight, and we struggled I had faith everything was going to be alright.
And once I was able to start really teaching and educating the students something in me clicked. I realized that the time I was spending with the students was the most important piece for me and them. We were forging a relationship based on our interactions with one another.
Flattening boards on the Planer for a tabletop
There was a profound message that I received after working with this group from Youthbuild. That message was "go out and do your best to educate the local youth with whatever you can and however you can. It can be something as simple as making an ornament that they can give to friends and family.
Hopes Woodshop ornaments
During our time together they:
- Learned the techniques and process of building tables
- Built cutting boards and ornaments
- Learned how to flatten and square up boards
- Built tops for desk donations
- Learned how to install vinyl replacement windows
- Visited the sawmill to see where our lumber comes from
It was a great time and we look forward to seeing each and everyone of them finding success now that they have finished the program!
Sliding barn door made from Black Walnut
Sliding barn door made from Black Walnut. Custom installation for home remodel in Rhode Island.
The search always starts at the Sawmill for me. Here you can see a fairly large amount of Black Walnut, all of which is from Coventry RI. The barn door was made from two large boards on the far left. We resawed one of the boards down to 3/4", which became the panel. The other board was ripped down the middle and cut into 4 separate sections to make the frame of the door.
By using the Festool track and router we are able to safely and accurately cut tight fitting panels.
Once everything is resawed, milled down to size, and square we are ready to glue everything together.
Here is a photo of the door installed. We used a black walnut header which we mounted the rail to. This gave us the structure and the style that we were looking for.
This hardware was purchased by the customer from http://www.realslidinghardware.com and their are many options to choose from. I found that these wheels were very quiet and would work well in many homes. If you are in the market for a sliding barn door and would like to learn more about pricing please feel free to contact us via out website. A special thanks to Nico over at www.thenicoworkshop.com for his help on this project as well! I may be big and strong but I cant do everything alone:)
The first post...
For those of you that have worked with us in the past, you have noticed we have a new website. For those of you who haven't worked with us, this is exciting!
We will be showcasing our work on this site that is complete and those pieces that are for sale. So please be sure to bookmark our site so you can keep an eye on our design.
Stay tuned for more in 2014...
Cheers,
Marc