Ode to Jeffie

Ode to Jeffie began with an oak tree that fell on the property of Jeffie—

a lineman, phone-company technician, and the artist’s father. The tree was milled and the boards set aside for five years, allowed to dry and stabilize before any joinery began.

The finished table balances contemporary structure with the irregular shape of the original material. Traditional joinery is used throughout, with live edges preserved on the tabletop, legs, and stretcher to follow the tree’s natural contours. Formed steel ties anchor each end of the table, introducing a deliberate architectural line. They are fastened with reclaimed telephone-pole spikes, each stamped with its original year of installation—

a direct reference to Jeffie’s working life.

Hand-inlaid leaf details represent local wood species from the oak’s surrounding landscape. A central tempered-glass inlay reveals the oak’s interior grain, establishing a clear view through the length of the table. The surface is finished with a hand-rubbed oil–wax blend, sealed beneath a nano topcoat for durability while maintaining a soft, natural sheen.

The result is a table that resolves material, structure, and reference into a functional, composed whole.