Marks of Distinction: Reclaimed Wood Furniture Designs by Jonathan January

What are some of the unique features you’ll find in CustomMade artisan Jonathan January’s reclaimed wood furniture designs?

Some “character marks,” such as “saw marks, bolt and nail holes, mortises, and notches,” testify to the woodworking of builders and artisans from bygone eras, he writes.  The natural patinas created after years of weathering bring a “unique and visually interesting surface quality that is impossible to fake” to reclaimed wood furniture.

Jonathan also rescues felled trees and logs that would otherwise be forgotten or discarded.  He cuts them into beautiful natural edge pieces that allow the unique form and beauty of the tree itself shine through the finished furniture.  In his natural or live edge custom furniture designs, the outlines, textures, and shapes of the trees that produced the wood are still visible.

All the reclaimed wood furniture designs featured in Jonathan January’s CustomMade portfolio tell a story.  Each piece combines the unique history and character of the material, the wishes and needs of Jonathan’s customers, and his artistic vision, technical skill, and personal dedication to creating environmentally friendly custom furniture.

Jonathan’s visually stunning Stitched Up maple slab coffee table has an equally striking story behind it.  Since Jonathan had cut his hand in his shop, he created this custom coffee table without the use of power tools.  The black walnut butterfly joints along a natural crack in the salvaged maple slab top were “intended to mimic the stitches in my hand at the time,” he writes.

(If you’re squeamish, scroll to the right with caution).

Interested in reclaimed wood furniture designs that will leave a mark? The custom furniture featured here are just examples of the possibilities you can explore when you choose to work one-on-one with Jonathan.  (Fortunately, most of them don’t require stitches).  Get in touch with Jonathan and discuss your needs, design ideas, and the recycled wood you would like used for your own project.