Mya's cutting board
An end-grain cutting board in a chequerboard pattern.
Materials
;Black walnut
Few materials inspire the same respect and enthusiasm as black walnut. It is a wood I reserve for clients who want furniture that makes a statement while offering exceptional longevity and craftsmanship. Black walnut combines natural beauty, workability, and strength in a way that elevates furniture from functional object to lasting centerpiece.
The most immediately striking quality of black walnut is its appearance. Its rich, deep brown tones—often accented with subtle purples, chocolates, and golden highlights—create a sense of warmth and sophistication that few other woods can match. Each board carries unique grain patterns, from flowing curls to straight, elegant lines, ensuring that no two pieces are ever the same. For clients, this means truly one-of-a-kind furniture; for me, it means working with a material that rewards thoughtful design and careful selection.
Beyond its beauty, black walnut offers excellent performance as a furniture wood. It is strong enough for structural components such as table legs, chair frames, and bed rails, yet not so hard that it becomes brittle or difficult to work. This balance allows for precise joinery, clean edges, and finely shaped details. Walnut machines, carves, and sands beautifully, enabling me to execute refined forms and subtle transitions that distinguish handcrafted furniture from mass-produced alternatives.
Walnut is also notably stable when properly seasoned. It responds well to careful drying and exhibits relatively predictable movement with changes in humidity. This stability is critical for maintaining tight joints, flat surfaces, and smooth operation of drawers and doors over the long term. Clients often appreciate that walnut furniture not only looks exceptional when delivered, but continues to perform reliably for decades with minimal maintenance.
From a finishing standpoint, black walnut is remarkably forgiving. Its natural color and grain depth allow it to shine under simple oil or clear finishes, which enhance rather than obscure its character. Unlike lighter woods that often require stains to achieve warmth, walnut needs very little intervention. This aligns well with a craftsman’s philosophy of letting the material speak for itself.
Sustainability is an important consideration when working with a premium hardwood like black walnut. Walnut is native to North America and is commonly harvested under regulated forestry practices. When responsibly sourced, it represents a renewable resource that supports domestic forestry and local economies. Because walnut furniture is typically built to last generations, its environmental impact is further offset by longevity—fewer replacements, fewer discarded pieces, and a stronger connection between owner and object.
Black walnut is not a casual choice; it is an intentional one. When you commission walnut furniture, you are investing in enduring quality, natural beauty, and responsible craftsmanship. In my workshop, walnut is treated with the respect it deserves, resulting in furniture that is both visually striking and structurally sound—pieces meant to be used, admired, and passed on.
Maple
Maple is one of the hardwoods I most often recommend to clients who want furniture that balances beauty, durability, and responsible sourcing. It is a wood that rewards careful craftsmanship and serves its owners exceptionally well over time.
For me, the defining quality of maple is its clean, refined appearance. With its tight, uniform grain and light, warm tone, maple brings a sense of quiet elegance to a room. It reflects light well and works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary designs. Maple also takes finishes exceptionally evenly, whether the goal is a clear coat that highlights its natural character or a stain that achieves a specific color palette. This versatility allows me to tailor each piece precisely to your aesthetic preferences.
Maple is renowned for its strength and hardness. It is a dense, resilient hardwood that stands up to daily use better than many alternatives. For tables, desks, chairs, bed frames, and cabinetry, this durability matters. Maple resists dents, abrasion, and wear, making it an excellent choice for busy households and high-use pieces. From my perspective in the shop, maple allows me to build furniture that can be used confidently rather than cautiously, without compromising structural integrity.
Maple’s stability is another reason it performs so well in furniture. When properly dried and milled, it remains dimensionally reliable, resisting excessive movement as seasons change. This is critical for fine joinery, flat panels, and precise fits. Drawers glide smoothly, doors remain aligned, and tabletops stay true. As a craftsman, that predictability allows me to focus on detail, proportion, and finish, confident that the structure will hold over time.
Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration, both for me and for many of my clients. Maple is a responsible choice in this regard. Hard maple and soft maple are widely available in North America and are commonly harvested from well-managed forests. Their abundance and relatively fast regeneration rates make them a more sustainable hardwood option compared to slower-growing or imported species. By choosing locally or regionally sourced maple, clients reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation while supporting responsible forestry practices.
From a long-term value standpoint, maple furniture offers an excellent return on investment. Its durability means fewer repairs and refinishing cycles, and its timeless appearance resists trends that can quickly make furniture feel dated. Well-crafted maple pieces often become heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next, which is sustainability in its most meaningful form.
When I build with maple, I am investing my skills into a material that honours that effort. The result is furniture that is strong, refined, responsibly sourced, and built to serve your home beautifully for many years to come.
Size & weight
Length: 34 cm
Width: 25 cm
Height: 4 cm
Weight: 2.45 kg