Live Oak Bench

Coastal Live Oak, Walnut

This handcrafted bench was created as a personal project during the height of the COVID lockdown. The piece is made from coastal live oak native to Ojai, paired with solid walnut legs for contrast and strength.

The guiding intention was restraint. The design preserves the natural form and character of the wood, allowing the shape, grain, and irregularities of the live oak to lead the final outcome rather than forcing it into a rigid geometry.

As with all of my furniture work, the bench is constructed using traditional woodworking techniques only. The structure is locked together with wedged through tenons, with no metal fasteners or hardware. The result is a bench that is both structurally honest and visually quiet.

The finish is my standard non-toxic, food-safe citrus oil and wax blend used across all of my pieces. It enhances the depth of the wood while remaining durable, repairable, and safe for everyday use.

This project reflects a period of slowing down, working with what was available locally, and focusing on fundamentals of craft, material, and proportion.