Tree to Table: Urban Hardwoods opens in LA

Urban Hardwoods, Seattle-based purveyor of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind salvaged tree furnishings, branches out with a new Los Angeles showroom.

Wed, Jul 14 2010 at 2:20 PM EST

Images: Urbanhardwoods

As reported by The Los Angeles Times in the L.A. at Home blog, sustainable, Seattle-based furniture-maker Urban Hardwoods has opened a third store/showroom (the first being in Seattle and the second in San Francisco) in West Hollywood's design district.

I was unfamiliar with Urban Hardwoods until recently and I'm quite impressed with their work: Gorgeous furniture — coffee, dining and end tables, desks, headboards, chairs, and more — crafted from salvaged city trees that would have been otherwise discarded.

Here's a bit about the story behind the company:

During the summer of 2006 one of the oldest Elm trees in West Seattle died. Urban Hardwoods was there to save her for a second life. The dining room is waiting for a table from the tree that grew less than 20 feet away. Finally the time has come.
Had Urban Hardwoods not been involved, this Elm would have met the same fate too many historic trees in Seattle endure - the landfill. Instead, thoughtfully milled and carefully stacked in our 'green room,' the 130-year-old Elm dried slowly and naturally for two more years.

The sticker price on Urban Hardwoods furniture may be a bit higher than many would like to spend on let's say, a single coffee table, but considering the uniqueness and history of each piece, I think it's well worth it. As the UH site reads: "The color and figure of the wood, the touch of the craftsman's hand, the shape and size can never be duplicated. We know where the tree grew. We take responsibility for its second life and are proud of our work."

For more UH standouts and a behind-the-scenes look at the process, check out this fantastic slideshow that's sure to make contemporary furniture lovers weak at the knees. Seattle, San Francisco, and LA residents: have you stopped by a UH showroom to admire some truly stunning reincarnated tree furnishings?