Live Edge Book Matched Solid Walnut Dining Table
I love the process of working with large slabs of wood, finding the amazing character in the natural wood! It sounds simple to just highlight the beauty, and for all intensive purposes the idea is easy. Find a discarded tree, save it from being a pile of mulch or burned in a fire, or discarded in a landfill. But, the process is a seriously challenging one, one that I accept over and over again, because it pains me to see this beauty be thrown out. This walnut tree came from just off 9th Street in our college town of 100K in Lawrence, Kansas a stones throw from Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas). The dead tree was cut down and saved, brought to a mill, processed, air dried and then kiln dried. This magnificent tree was over 24" in diameter. A client from Leawood, Kansas asked for me to make a live edge book matched walnut table for them. Both the husband and the wife had different ideas of what they wanted. They came to meet with me and discuss their needs, wants, desires and we went to the mill to pick out the wood. They chose this walnut tree from 9th Street and the 11' x 2" thick slabs. You don't have to be local to go through this process. I have worked with clients all over the country and even various parts of the world. I treat each project as what it is, a custom commission to make you a beautiful designed and made work of art, an heirloom to last your family for generations. Click on the contact the maker button to have a conversation and see if I would be a good fit to make your project! Thank you, Darin M. White DMW | HAVA studios
Long-time member
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Fast shipper
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
Great service
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
As an artist, I found my love of objects at an early age. I was always drawing diagrams on napkins and discussing how things were made, like my father and grandfather. They owned and operated a display manufacturing business, so I was around design and material process from the beginning. My entrepreneurial career began around the age of seven, when I asked my dad to help me cut out some wood shapes on a small jigsaw, added color and sold them on the driveway. i was hooked.
After a year playing college football and throwing javelin in Indiana, I honed my art skills especially metal fabrication and casting finishing with a BFA in sculpture at the University of Kansas. During art school my brother Brian and I designed and made alternative clothing for the skate crowd. My wife and I began selling visual merchandising products to retailers, eventually garnering major clients all over the world. We also started HAVA studios to collaborate on creative projects which led to unique and very high end work. Many times I was providing the design and project management and not having the time to work on the making. I have had to carve out time to make art and also collaborated with my wife on award winning public art.
A few years ago, after chain saw carving a large 8' sculpture out of a huge spalted maple log. The wood cut away was so beautiful, so I carved my wife small piece and hung it on a silver chain. She received many comments and requests about the "wearable sculpture" pendant and I started making them for family and friends, and eventually galleries. Because splating is a natural process; like a finger print, there are no two alike. I expanded the hand carvings to earrings and rings, and then started making other objects including small freestanding sculptures and charcuterie/cheese serving boards, while filling custom requests for furniture and lighting as well as interior design.
My work is driven by my love of shape and form. I tend to be minimal in design. I work with whatever material is the best for the project but have an affinity for wood and metal. I also work in stone, acrylic, glass, resin, foam, and many other unique materials. I take commissions while also producing my original designs. My fine artwork is available upon request.
Maker Policies
Discover true craftsmanship each week
A guide to the best items from the best makers and the stories behind them.
