Frequently Asked Questions About Live Edge Furniture
Everything you need to know about our custom furniture, process, pricing, and care — straight from the workshop.
About Live Edge Furniture
Live edge furniture preserves the natural outer edge of the tree in the finished piece. Instead of cutting the wood into a uniform rectangle, we keep the organic curves, bark line, and raw character of the slab. The result is a one-of-a-kind piece that showcases the tree's natural beauty — knots, grain patterns, and all. No two live edge pieces are ever the same, which is a big part of their appeal.
We specialize in Texas hardwoods, each with its own personality:
- Black Walnut: Rich dark tones, dramatic grain patterns. The showstopper of hardwoods.
- Pecan: Warm golden hues with great character. Versatile and beautiful in any setting.
- Mesquite: Extremely hard and durable with wild, unpredictable grain. A true Texas native.
- White Oak: Light, strong, and classic. Excellent for modern or traditional designs.
- Cedar: Aromatic with warm reddish tones. Naturally resistant to moisture and insects.
We also work with other species on request. If you have a specific wood in mind, just ask.
We source our slabs from local Texas sawmills and suppliers. Whenever possible, we use salvaged and reclaimed wood — trees that were taken down due to storms, land clearing, or natural end of life. This gives wood a second life as something beautiful and functional. We also maintain relationships with arborists in the San Antonio and Hill Country area who contact us when notable trees become available.
Absolutely. Live edge furniture is built from thick, solid hardwood slabs — these are substantial, heavy pieces of wood that are naturally strong and durable. We apply commercial-grade finishes (polyurethane, hardwax oil, or epoxy, depending on the piece) that protect against scratches, water rings, and daily wear. Our dining tables are built for family dinners, homework sessions, and holiday gatherings — not just looking pretty.
Day-to-day care is simple:
- Wipe down with a soft, damp cloth. Dry with a clean towel.
- Avoid harsh chemical cleaners — a little mild soap and water is all you need.
- Use coasters and trivets for hot dishes, cold drinks, or wet items.
- Keep out of direct, prolonged sunlight if possible (it can lighten the wood over time).
Depending on your finish type, we recommend a maintenance coat of oil or wax every 6-12 months. We include specific care instructions with every piece we deliver, tailored to the exact finish we used.
Custom Orders & Process
Our process is straightforward:
- 1. Consultation: You tell us what you need — type of piece, size, style, and any preferences. We can do this by phone, email, or in person at the shop.
- 2. Design & Quote: We select the perfect slab, finalize design details (legs, finish, edge treatment), and provide a detailed quote.
- 3. Build: Once you approve the quote and place your deposit, we get to work. We'll send progress photos along the way.
- 4. Delivery: We deliver to your door, set it up, and make sure you're completely happy with the finished piece.
Start the process by requesting a free quote.
It depends on the complexity of the project:
- Simple pieces (floating shelves, small tables): 2-4 weeks
- Standard custom pieces (dining tables, desks, coffee tables): 4-8 weeks
- Complex projects (epoxy river tables, large commercial pieces): 8-12 weeks
- Refinishing: 2-4 weeks depending on the condition and scope
We don't rush. Good wood work takes time, and we'd rather deliver a piece you'll love for decades than cut corners to meet a deadline. That said, we always provide a clear timeline with your quote and keep you updated along the way.
Yes! If you'd like to visit the shop and hand-pick your slab, you're welcome to come by. We'll walk you through what we have in inventory and explain the characteristics of each piece — grain pattern, color variation, structural integrity, and how it'll look once finished. Many of our customers find this to be one of the best parts of the process. Just give us a call to schedule a visit.
Absolutely — and they're free. Whether you know exactly what you want or you're starting from scratch, we'll work with you to figure out the right piece for your space. We can discuss wood species, dimensions, leg styles, finish options, and how the piece will fit into your room. You can bring photos, sketches, or just a rough idea — we'll take it from there.
We can get pretty close. If you have specific stain colors, wood tones, or design elements you want us to match, send us photos and we'll do our best to complement your existing pieces. Keep in mind that natural wood always has variation — no two slabs are identical — but we can select wood species and finishes that harmonize with what you already have.
Pricing & Payment
Pricing depends on the wood species, slab size, design complexity, and finish. Here are some general ranges to give you an idea:
- Coffee tables: $800 – $1,500
- Dining tables: $1,800 – $5,000+
- Desks: $1,500 – $3,000
- Floating shelves: $150 – $400 each
- Countertops & bar tops: $1,500 – $4,500+ (depends heavily on size)
- Refinishing projects: Starting at $300
Every project is unique, so the best way to get an accurate price is to request a quote. It's free and there's no obligation.
Yes, we require a 50% deposit to begin work on custom pieces. This covers the cost of materials and secures your spot in our build schedule. The remaining 50% is due upon completion, before delivery. For refinishing projects, the deposit structure may vary depending on the scope — we'll discuss this when we provide your quote.
We accept cash, personal checks, Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal. For larger projects, we can also work with you on a payment plan. We want to make the process as easy as possible — just let us know what works best for you.
Delivery & Installation
Yes! We deliver throughout the San Antonio metro area and surrounding communities, including Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, The Dominion, Boerne, New Braunfels, Helotes, Bulverde, and most of the Texas Hill Country. Delivery within San Antonio is typically included in the price of the piece.
For deliveries outside our standard service area — Austin, Houston, Dallas, or anywhere else in Texas — we can usually arrange delivery for an additional fee. Just ask and we'll work something out.
Yes. When we deliver, we bring the piece inside, place it exactly where you want it, and make sure everything is level and solid. For wall-mounted pieces like floating shelves, we handle the full installation. For countertops and bar tops, we coordinate with your contractor or installer if needed. We don't just drop it at the door — we make sure it's perfect in your space before we leave.
Refinishing Services
We refinish just about anything made of solid wood — dining tables, dressers, desks, chairs, cabinets, bookshelves, hope chests, nightstands, and more. If it's wood and it needs work, we can probably help. We work with both modern and antique pieces. The only things we typically pass on are laminate furniture (particle board with a veneer) since there's not enough real wood to sand and refinish properly.
Absolutely. We've brought back heirloom pieces that were in pretty rough shape — water damage, scratches, broken joints, missing hardware, old finish that's seen better days. We'll assess the damage, talk through your options (full strip and refinish vs. touch-up and repair), and give you an honest recommendation. For antique pieces, we're careful to preserve the character and original elements that make them special. Sometimes the best restoration is the one you can barely notice.
Still Have Questions?
We're happy to chat. Reach out directly or request a free quote and we'll get back to you within a day or two.