We are sure you’ve noticed the explosion in popularity of these unique pieces of furniture. Everywhere you look from the Ellen Degeneres Show, to your doctor’s office, has a live edge furniture piece.But, what is live edge furniture? What makes it special? How can you use it in your home? Here we answer all of your questions about live edge furniture and why you need a piece today.
What is Live Edge Furniture?
Good question. The name “live edge” refers to the method of cutting the wood and using the wood. To be considered live edge one edge of the piece is left natural and untouched as it was in the original tree.These can be either a crosscut of the entire trunk making up a table or boards with only one side “live”. It gives the piece of furniture a unique look and makes each piece one of a kind.
How is Live Edge Furniture Made?
When a tree is destined for the greatness that is a live edge piece the cuts happen differently than those that end up as lumber in the hardware store.Each tree is individually chosen for its beauty and size. Then, each piece is carefully milled and cut in a specific way to keep as much of the original edge as possible. This process is elaborate but more environmentally friendly since the entire tree is used instead of just the middle sections as in traditional lumber.You’ll be able to choose either bark on or bark off. The bark on look gives you the rough naturalistic edge of the forest while the bark off approach leaves smoother edges that are more family-friendly.Every piece is handmade to maintain the natural shape of the tree. Since every tree is different it takes the skilled hand of an artisan to bring the piece to life. Lovingly the board is sanded and shellacked carefully to last for generations.
How Expensive is Live Edge Furniture?
As with anything handmade, this all depends on the piece. For a table, for instance, a solid top slab has to be cut from a single huge tree to get the size and look you’re after. Because of the size of a solid slab table, a lot more handcraftsmanship comes into play. To create one piece that large the trunk cannot go through a planer machine. So, it has to be cut free by hand and then sanded down.Then once the wood is cut it must be further sanded to prepare it for finishing and then shellacked. Then the other parts of the piece must be installed. So, it really depends on the piece.It takes an appreciation of the craftsmanship involved to understand the value of a piece such as this.
They’re Not For Everybody
Live edge is definitely a design choice. You have to be open to the natural flow of things. Someone who likes the sharp lines of modernism may not be the biggest fan of the unpredictable nature of live edge furniture.Also, if you’re someone who needs to see exactly what something will look like before you buy it then this isn’t for you either. This is one of those things where you have an idea of what you’ll use it for and then trust the craftsman to find the right wood for the job.Since no two pieces are alike you’ll be able to see some samples of their work but you won’t get to see what your exact piece will look like until it’s unveiled.
So, You’ve Decided You Want One…Now What?
You’re in luck! The artisans here at Tampa Bay Salvage are waiting to create a custom masterpiece for you.We are well versed in all types of live edge furniture and we pride ourselves on quality. We can even build in accent lighting and other custom features. We want to make your dreams into realities.Ready to take the dive into a unique and creative piece? Contact us today and we will be happy to talk you through the process of commissioning a piece. We are excited to hear from you and excited to create your unique piece of furniture.Interested in another one of a kind decor piece for your home? Check out our online shop for some of our different uniquities today!
