NEW Mesquite Furniture Design: Walker CURVE Entry Table

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so this mesquite furniture blog post will be mostly pictures, a video and a only a few words.....  

The "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table by Lou Quallenberg

The "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table is the newest sculpted, live edge design by Lou Quallenberg Studios and while there are a few photos of the piece none of them come close to capturing the true essence of it as you stand next to and touch it.  When Lou took the order for this table he thought it was going to be one of his standard designs for entry / hallway tables.  That was NOT what the client had in mind. Even after they decided on the sketch below Lou still had no idea what was in front of him.

The challenges on a new concept and design style, both artistically and technically, can be both inspiration as well as torture at the same time.

This new bespoke piece emphasizes Lou Quallenberg's move in a more sculptural direction.  It also proves a point that while his look and style can be copied, they cannot get into his head and take the latest design, so he will always be at least one step ahead.  Always searching to see where the limits on design and mesquite sit and pushing to that point to create his work.  

Lou Quallenberg with new design: The "Walker Curve" Mesquite  Entry Table

Sketch for the Mesquite Entry Table

Making a jig for the curves

Making the jig's curve

Finished jig for the curve

Wood to be cut in thin slices to create the curves

Watch the YouTubeVideo making the curves:
Mesquite Furniture: Making the Walker Entry Table CURVES - Lou Quallenberg Studios

The jig is loaded and sits for 4 days

The first curve for the table

Jig to square the base of the curves

Squaring the base of the curves

A mock up of the table and design

Mesquite table ready for hand rubbed oil and wax finish

"The challenges on a new concept and design style, both artistically and technically, can be both inspiration as well as torture at the same time."

Photographing the "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table

"Always searching to see where the limits on design and mesquite sit and pushing to that point to create his work." 

Liquid Lux Mesquite Furniture: Just Add Water

Lou Quallenberg Studios

Presents 

Liquid Lux

Our new & exclusive line of Mesquite Furniture 

Instant Gratification.

Just add water.

Due to the natural, native state of the mesquite wood pulp and a special non toxic process that we use, adding  water to the top of the capsule activates the living cells in the wood. Within hours the growing process of our mesquite furniture is complete and a fully functional and finished piece of mesquite furniture rises from the spot that you place the water filled capsule.

Natural Cracks and crevices as well as unusual wood character will be individually based upon the actual natural character of the wood. The finished piece will look similar but may not look exactly like the photo on the capsule. Turquoise inlay is available at an additional charge.

CAUTION: You must leave enough clear space around the soaked capsule for the completed piece to grow or the results will be stunted and possibly deformed. We are not responsible for improper handling and/or poor results due to inappropriate growing conditions.

Currently Available

in these Styles:

These Designs

Coming Soon:

BUY
HERE
NOW

If you have questions or concerns about this or any of our Mesquite Furniture products please first note the date of this post before inquiring help from one of our customer service representatives. Thank you from Lou Quallenberg Studios. Don't be a fool!  
© Lou Quallenberg Studios 2014 All Rights Reserved

May's Mesquite Bookshelf: “A man's bookcase will tell you everything...."

“A man's bookcase will tell you everything you'll ever need to know about him”
― Walter Mosley  

Lou Quallenberg's Client Sketch of Mesquite Bookshelf

“I like to think that when I fall,
A rain-drop in Death's shoreless sea,
This shelf of books along the wall,
Beside my bed, will mourn for me.”
― Robert W. Service, Ballads of a Bohemian

The "Joanna" Mesquite Bookshelf was the first of it's kind at Lou Quallenberg Studios. The project presented it's many challenges in all aspects of design, production and delivery.  The clients were  familiar with Lou Quallenberg Studios and Lou's level of craftsmanship. They already had two pieces in their home and had mentioned the quality in a "Thank You" note that we shared part of in this: blog post.  They knew the project would take quite some time and yet they were willing to wait. Good things come to those who wait.

The project started with several sketches: one more linear design and one more sculpted and natural. They chose the Natural Sculpted Design and we think it was the right choice even with all of it's challenges and opportunities. (See original sketch above.)

In order to end up with 5/4" pieces, the process started with the slabbing of a few suitable mesquite logs into 6/4" slabs.  Then wood, from the best tree for this project, was taken to the kiln and dried for the next ninety days or so. Since the project had to be added to the busy production schedule, work was not started immediately once the wood was dried. This also allowed the wood to come back to a more natural and environmentally stable moisture content.

Mesquite Slabs Being Cut at the Mill

Mesquite Slabs Loaded into the Kiln to Dry

The cracks and holes that are such a frustrating but natural part of mesquite needed to be filled with the black epoxy that has become our partner in this process.  All very time consuming and tedious work, it is this attention to detail that makes Lou Quallenberg's work stand out.

Lou Quallenberg removes the rot from the Mesquite Cracks

Mesquite Cracks to be Filled

Cracks and Holes to be Filled with Epoxy

Lou Quallenberg Cuts the Mesquite Shelves for the Bookshelf

Mesquite Bookshelf Frame

Bookshelf put together for Sculpting

Mesquite Slab Shelves spaced for Design

Ready for Final Sculpting and Sanding

All of the pieces and parts were then crafted and put together.  The shelves were mocked up with spaces to give an idea of the design and it's challenges. Working with these big pieces individually are manageable but once the pieces start going together the size and weight begin to create problems.

Difficult to move around and maneuver the process once again began to slow its pace.

The final sculpting and sanding process on the piece as a unit took hours and hours as it was brought to Lou Quallenberg standards. Attention to details and lovingly treating, both the back and bottom of the bookshelf and shelves, as if they would be the focal points. These are just few tricks that make Lou's work so special.

The hand rubbed oil and wax finish took a bit longer than the normal two week process due to the corners, all of the shelves and the unusual on and off wet/humid weather, but once again the process was not pushed  or rushed.

Photography of the Mesquite Bookshelf

Once finished the "Joanna" Mesquite Bookshelf needed to be photographed. We usually prefer to photograph in the studio but because of size and weight, the piece was photographed on site in the shop and left in only one position. It was a challenge but we feel like it is always worth the effort. Even though none of the photographs of Lou's Mesquite Furniture never really capture the true essence and beauty that you see and feel in the presence of each piece.

“And as I surveyed the clutter of his study I was pleased to see that he was a man after my own heart. All of his money appeared to have been spent on either books or shelves to hold them.”
― Ross King, Ex-Libris   

"Joanna" Mesquite Bookshelf by Lou Quallenberg

Natural Corners

Sculpted Corner Top

Mesquite Corners

Sculpted Mesquite Shelves

Natural Sculpted Mesquite Shelves

Sculpted Live Edge Mesquite

Even the Back of the shelves are Sculpted

Purple Heart Inlay Accent

Lou Quallenberg's Signature in Mesquite on the Back

The delivery of the "Joanna" Mesquite Bookshelf was quite the process both in and of itself. All the while the threat of much needed rain hung in the periphery of our minds held at bay only by the desire to do the delivery and make it both good and right.   

Normally Lou prefers to deliver in a covered trailer but this piece because of  it's size and weight, he knew would be easier if we did not have to figure out how to get it and the delivery crew through a doorway dealing with trailer walls.  This would not normally be a problem as summer approaches in the Texas Hill Country but thanks to unusual weather patterns the threat of rain (an often prayed for event) threatened to disrupt the delivery process.

“A bookshelf is as particular to its owner as are his or her clothes; a personality is stamped on a library just as a shoe is shaped by the foot.”
― Alan Bennett

Arrival at the Mesquite Bookshelf's New Home

The Bottom of the Bookshelf and a Proud Client

A Heavy Handful

Will it fit through the doorway?!

We intended to help with the installation all along, but had failed to discuss electrical outlets and wall stud placement. All of which complicated and extended the seemingly simple process. Once the proper location was found and fitted. The "Joanna Mesquite Bookshelf was installed with care and screwed securely to the wall. 

The screws were then hidden with Lou Quallenberg's technique. Originally designed as a Mesquite Bed Bolt Cover, the mesquite button covers are held in place with a very strong earth magnet that attracts to the metal screw. Another tiny detail that adds so much to the quality and value of a Lou Quallenberg piece.

Fortunately the rain held off until the delivery was made. The downpour made the trip back to  Llano an adventure in and of itself. Nobody complained as the land greedily soaked up the much needed moisture and the runoff left floods, damage and destruction as it carved its path through the drought stricken Hill Country.

Huge thanks go out to the delivery crew Bill Gleason and Karl Rhodes. Special thanks to Shawn Walker for his steady and constant help in shop and wherever needed. We cannot forget our master packer and in house imagineer Steve Walker.

Thanks Guys!  We could not do it without you.

We find it quite appropriate that this end of May blog post about a Mesquite Bookshelf comes as graduates of all kinds are crossing the stage and receiving their diplomas. In fact one of our client's children was graduating the day after our delivery.

WE CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE CLASSES AND GRADUATES OF 2013!!

We especially congratulate our niece, Miss Taylor Leigh Martin as she finishes her High School education and seeks to further her education at Texas State University.  She received six Scholarships for her efforts and we applaud her for that!!!

Thanks go to the following Scholarship providers:

Hill Country Higher Education Foundation
Llano County Scholarship : Women's Culture Club
Llano Masonic Lodge #242
In Honor of Teacher Mary Fay Wallace by Janice Crenwelge
Mary Turbiville Memorial
Promote Llano: Dayna Haines Scholarship

CONGRATULATIONS! TAYLOR!!!
We Love You!

Making an Entrance: Mesquite Entry Table

Live Edge Mesquite Entry Table with Turquoise Inlay by Lou Quallenberg more at: www.LouQart.com

After looking into our delivery options: Fredericksburg Shipping and Custom Delivery Service (both companies are really great at what they do!) we delivered this latest piece to Houston ourselves. Lou did not want to take the time off to run to Houston but he likes seeing where his babies will reside and getting a little taste of city life.  I'm up for travel anytime I can get him out of the shop!  

Slab for Mesquite Table Top

Slab Top on old style legs

This commissioned mesquite entry table was ordered as an anniversary gift for the clients. I think she mentioned that it was this table or a trip to Hawaii.  WOW! Now that is a compliment. They contacted us while they were visiting Fredericksburg.  They had seen Lou's work on the internet and wanted to see it in person and meet him.  We were low on mesquite inventory at the time so I did not think he would have much to show them but I told them to come on to Llano and we could show them some of his work, the shop and get an idea of what they were looking for.  I did not know that Lou had squirreled away a special slab of mesquite for an entry table.  He does this sometimes with special pieces and then he has to make sure the client is worthy of the slab or slabs in the case of the Dancing Trees.  These two clients  were VERY special and he showed them the mesquite slab right away.  It fit their length and width requirements and practically sold itself.  We even had several new clients that wanted to buy the slab away from them once Lou had started the table.

They left the shop that day knowing they would have a sculpted, live edge, mesquite, entry table made by Lou Quallenberg for their anniversary. They also knew that due to the schedule it would not be finished until several months after their anniversary - but that it would probably be worth waiting for.

Sketch of Mesquite Entry Table

The sketch was emailed later that week and Lou began working it into the already full schedule.  He was excited to get it started because he wanted to use the new more curved leg design. The clients had agreed to use the new design for the legs.

New Leg Design Pattern

New Leg taped out & ready to cut

New Leg Design Pattern

Lou made a pattern of the new leg to be sure he liked the curve and shape of the new design. Then he taped it out and then cut the legs from sturdy chunks.  I always think he is crazy when he goes changing up the design style but he seems to know what he is doing because it never fails, I always prefer the new style of whatever he does.

Slab Mesquite Table Top and Base Curves

New Legs put together

New Legs and Front Curve

Next its all pieces and parts kind of like a large 3D puzzle. It is always exciting to see it go together for the first time and to finally stand on its own four legs!  The laminated compound curved stretchers are usually the last part to be made. Each one is carefully created custom to the curve of the slab top.  While this curve is a distinctive design element in his work it does actually serve a purpose.  Lou's work is stable it does not wobble.  This curve and the base curves provide an added measure of strength to the tables.  The l/8th inch laminated pieces of mesquite once glued up are actually stronger than a piece of  uncut mesquite of the same size. 

Ready for some turquoise

It stands on its own

Matching curves in need of final stretcher

Adding the turquoise is the final step before the labor intensive two week hand rubbed oil finish.  The turquoise inlay process is not a rushed step. Careful thought is put into adding just the right touch of turquoise.  Each tiny piece of gem quality turquoise is added to the epoxied crack by hand with a pair of tweezers.  Lou looks at the placement as an art form in itself and you can see the difference in his work compared to others.

Mesquite with Turquoise inlay

Turquoise Inlay

We have seen some craftsmen use cheap turquoise powder or even colored aquarium rocks as a filling for the cracks.  Lou Quallenberg takes pride in his work and he treats each piece as a work of art. We abide by the saying: 

"There are no short cuts to anyplace worth going."

Lou Quallenberg and Lou Quallenberg Studios stands for quality and we will not rush a project or compromise on quality. While our materials may cost more and the work may take longer, in the end it is worth it. We hope that the value is evident but there are some folks that just don't "get it." He has a few wood working friends that don't understand why he tortures himself with the compound curves, laminated curves and the extreme sanding and finishing.  They don't understand that he is pouring his heart and soul into the piece and that when he is finished a part of him will be fused forever with the piece in a concept the Japanese call "takumi" (also meaning artisan or hand made.)  These same folks also don't understand why he bothers to finish off the bottom of the piece as completely as the top and they REALLY don't understand how he can charge what he charges for a piece. Again they just don't "get it", but we do and we know our clients and future clients do as well.....

Lou Quallenberg's Live Edge Mesquite Entry Table with Turquoise Inlay

What an ENTRANCE! Mesquite Entry Table with Turquoise Inlay ready for Delivery.

Lou Quallenberg's Finished Mesquite Entry Table with Turquoise Inlay