TL;DR Summary

This custom walnut river table was commissioned by a couple in Winchester, MA who had known the maker for years — first as a fellow CrossFit member, and long before his woodworking career began. Having watched his journey from web programmer to full-time furniture builder, they returned to him to create a statement table for their home. The result is a stunning blend of personal history, craftsmanship, and striking design.

  • Built for a couple in Winchester, MA who knew the maker personally

  • Longtime acquaintances from a local CrossFit gym

  • Witnessed the transition from programmer to full-time furniture maker

  • Commissioned a black walnut river table with dramatic presence

  • Table symbolizes both friendship and the maker’s evolution

Some commissions come full circle — not just in the build, but in the relationships that bring them to life. This walnut river table was created for a couple living in Winchester, MA, but our connection goes back years before any table was ever built. We met at a local CrossFit gym, where we worked out together regularly. At the time, I was still a full-time web programmer. They knew me as someone with an eye for detail — but not yet someone who made furniture for a living.

As time went on, they followed my path as I began learning woodworking, taking on small projects, and gradually stepping into a second career. When I officially launched my table business, they were already familiar with my commitment to the craft and the care I brought to everything I made. So when the time came for them to commission a centerpiece for their dining space, they knew exactly who to call.

They wanted something bold, functional, and beautiful — a table that would anchor the room and make a statement. We landed on a walnut river table design, blending two highly figured slabs with a dark resin center that brought balance, contrast, and movement. The final result was a dramatic yet refined surface, large enough to host a crowd but warm enough to gather around on any given night.

As I built the piece, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey — not just of the table, but of how far things had come. From gym floor conversations about careers and hobbies, to delivering a piece of custom heirloom furniture for their home, it felt like one of those rare full-circle moments where life affirms your path. The table wasn’t just for them — it was a milestone for me, too.

Now it lives in their home, surrounded by family, laughter, and the kind of shared history that makes handmade furniture even more meaningful. It’s more than a dining table — it’s a marker of time, growth, and relationships built one rep (and one slab) at a time.