TL;DR Summary

A young couple in Maine commissioned a custom live edge dining table to host their first family Christmas. Balancing his classic taste with her modern style, they chose a bookmatched walnut top with a bold black metal base. Delivered just before the holidays, the table became the heart of their celebration and a link to family abroad.

  • Designed for a couple hosting their first Christmas in Maine

  • Blended traditional and modern styles through collaborative design

  • Live edge bookmatched walnut top with black metal base

  • Custom build tracked via a private client portal

  • Delivered in time for holiday hosting and video-sharing with family in Russia

When this young couple from Maine reached out, they were gearing up for a big milestone: hosting Christmas for their entire family — for the very first time. With a dozen guests on the list and a dining room that had never quite been "finished," they knew they needed something special. Not just any table — they wanted a piece that would feel like the heart of the home, something that could hold a family gathering and make a strong impression both in person and online, especially for their extended family in Russia who’d be joining by video.

From the beginning, it was clear this would be a design journey. He leaned toward a traditional aesthetic — rectangular form, classic legs, something grounded and familiar. She was drawn to clean, modern lines and bolder design statements. Rather than forcing a compromise, we set up a few Zoom calls and walked through a range of ideas — apron tables, trestle bases, different slab styles — until we found a direction that honored both perspectives. We landed on a bookmatched live edge walnut top for its timeless warmth, and paired it with a sculptural black steel base for a sleek modern contrast.

Throughout the build, I gave them access to their own private client portal — something I’ve found to be especially helpful when couples are commissioning a major piece. I posted photo updates, notes, and milestones along the way, so they could follow the progress in real time. For clients juggling the pressures of holidays, guests, and life, it gave them peace of mind and a real sense of ownership over the process.

The table was delivered just a few days before Christmas — the timing couldn’t have been better. We carried it in and set it in place, and it immediately felt like it belonged. The rich tones of the walnut top caught the winter light just right, and the sculptural base gave it a bold, confident stance in the room. The couple was thrilled — and their excitement carried through as they started sharing photos and videos with family members abroad who had been eager to see it.

That table became more than a piece of furniture — it was the centerpiece of a first holiday as hosts, a solution to a design difference, and a tangible connection between family across continents. That’s what I love most about custom work — it’s not just about making something beautiful, but making something that matters to the people who gather around it.