Man builds lake coffee table from a 400-year-old tree trunk

By Happy Jasta

December 12, 2017

4 min read

The modern, classy tables with embedded river or lake-esque glass inserts are most often labeled as river tables. These intricately designed tables are perfect to add a bespoke design statement to any living space. There are countless designs out there, but if you are looking for a unique furniture object that looks elegant and sturdy, the DIY lake table by Brent Graham can be a great option.

The elegant piece of furniture crafted from a 400-year-old tree stump. At the beginning; Brent posted pictures of the build process on Imgur and Reddit, from where he got so much of appreciations for his amazing work. After receiving so many positive reviews from all around the globe, he named the table as Caldera Lake Table.

One of his customers gave him a complete tree trunk riddled with heart rot, which he successfully converted into a stunning lake table. He just cleaned, planed and wetted the slab to bring out its real hues and then inlaid a piece of transparent blue-green glass flush into the rotted section to make it look like a lake. There are tiny wooden legs underneath, raising it to the appropriate height of a coffee table. As it is made from a single tree trunk with untouched edges, it’s a good example of DIY live edge lake coffee table.

Also Read: The 15 most unique river tables

The outcome, in this case, is really impressive. If you’re thinking of giving it a try, get your basics right, from choosing the right kind of slab to flattening it and getting the desired shape. You will also be requiring a router, precision glass-cutting machine, sanding tools, finishing materials and some other basic woodworking equipment to realize your dream. The end result will be the exact reproduction of your conception.

If you want exclusivity in your build, the unique design and age of tree trunk are two significant factors that will define distinctiveness of your project. And, this DIY woodworking project is a true example of an exclusive design that adds new life to a discarded piece of vintage wood.