At Excelsior Wood Products, we truly enjoy creating custom pieces that reflect our clients’ stories. In our latest video, Craftsman Chris 'Wally' Wambach walks through the fabrication process behind a unique project—a series of shelves, a mantle, and a countertop crafted from wood sourced directly from the client’s property. 

Prepping The Client’s Raw Lumber

The client’s journey started with a tree they cut down, sliced with a wood-mizer, and stacked to dry on their property for years. Realizing he had the perfect materials for a few home projects, he brought the raw lumber to us with a custom vision. Wally explains how he began by running the wood through the kiln to ensure it was fully prepared for crafting.

Crafting Custom Shelves, Mantle, and Countertop

The project included custom shelves with floating brackets, expertly milled into the back for seamless installation. These shelves are designed to slide easily onto wall-mounted brackets, creating a clean, floating effect. In addition to the shelves, the client requested a mantle and countertop using the same wood. Since the raw lengths weren’t long enough for the countertop’s full span, Wally tackled this challenge with a creative solution—placing a spline in each butt joint. This spline technique stabilized the joints, enhancing strength and creating one unified surface. The results are one-of-a-kind pieces built to withstand the test of time.

Excelsior Brings Visions to Life

At Excelsior, we’re honored to help clients create meaningful, lasting pieces from materials that hold personal significance. Whether you’ve sourced materials from your own backyard or come to us with only a unique vision, our team works closely with you to craft furniture and fixtures that tell a story. Contact us today to start your custom project and experience the Excelsior difference!