My Poor Review
6' Wide x 12' Long Rustic Table top for a client's existing table base. The client requested a 'staggered plank' pine table top built in sections for their existing metal table base that was 4' wide and 11' long. He wanted a multi-colored 'reclaimed patchwork' appearance and asked me to use 3/4" pine. I suggested that for a table that large, it should be built on frames to give it additional stability and a 1.5" thick edge. The client agreed. I then sent him images of a panel with the multi color look he had requested, which frankly, I didn't like the looks of. He then decided to have me finish the panels in an aged gray stain, which I did. As a result, I had unused paints and stains and also had to buy the new gray stain which he had requested. I re-sanded and refinished the original panel and finished the other panels all at no additional cost to the client. When it was time to install, the client whom I had dealt with was out of town and it was clear from the moment we arrived that his wife had no interest in either the existing table base, nor the top that had been built for it. As we were finishing the install, she complained that food crumbs would get in the gaps of the boards. Even though the staggered plank design had been requested, the joints were extremely tight and the small gaps between some of the panels were filled and stained (see close up images). She complained about the smell of the stain and when I spoke to her husband on the phone he suggested that 'for my trouble' I take the entire table including the large base that would never have fit in my vehicle and sell it. At that point, I realized that any additional effort to please this client would be wasting additional time and money, so I packed up my tools as my assistant thoroughly cleaned the hardwood floor of the sawdust and metal shavings from drilling out the table base for the installation. By the way, did I mention that this was a 'rush' job, 500 miles away and that to accommodate this client, I delivered on a weekend? I suggest that you examine the photos, read my other reviews and judge for yourself.
Type
- wood
Style
- rustic
Material
- oak
- reclaimed
Finish
- stained
- paint
Features
- eco-friendly
Base
- metal
Size
- large
- small
Meet the Maker
Dana Valley
Thunder Valley Art
I started designing and crafting custom furniture for clients over forty years ago as a teenager in my father's garage. After thirty-five years in international business; I have returned to my roots. I work with a variety of hardwoods including; oak, walnut, maple, mahogany and metals including steel, stainless steel and copper.
My designs are not for everyone, but if you were looking for conventional, cheap and temporary, you'd be browsing the IKEA website.
My clients don't buy furniture, they adopt functional art. My privilege is to reveal the next life of the once living tree. I start with the wood and often use the pieces others would avoid. What others see as flaws that would slow production, I see as character that deserves to be celebrated.
I subscribe to the idea of "Japanese Quality" derived from Total Quality Management. In this context there are two kinds of quality:
Atarimae hinshitsu and Miryokuteki hinshitsu.
Atarimae hinshitsu（当 たり前品質） - The idea that things will work as they are supposed to (e.g. a pen will write). It is the functional requirement.
Miryokuteki hinshitsu （魅 力的品質）- The idea that things should have an aesthetic quality which is different from "atarimae hinshitsu" (e.g. a pen will write in a way that is pleasing to the writer, and leave behind ink that is pleasing to the reader).
I encourage you to view my designs while knowing I would love an opportunity to craft something especially for you.
Customer Reviews
Brent Meyer
Jul 1, 2018What started off a a great project ended terribly. Dana built a rustic table top for us an promised he would secure it to our base. The top was full of large gaps - it was made of thin wood and he did not secure it. In fact it could fall on any one of our children and hurt them (or worse). When we tried to discuss with him, he picked up his tools - turned off his phone - and left.
Maggie Levine
Jun 25, 2018I initially posted an extremely positive review for Dana. I loved my table and found him to be a pleasure to work with. Unfortunately, when the table developed an enormous crack, and I contacted him multiple times and sent photos, Dana never replied. I'm so disappointed and contacted Custom Made Support to allow me to change my review.
Adrian L
May 10, 2018Very happy with the custom coffee table Dana Valley has created for us. I can see the dedication and time he put into it. He is timely in responding to any questions or concerns via email or message through custommade.com. He delivered the table straight to our home as promised. The completion time was a little delayed by few days but it was still close to estimated date. He had a few other orders to finish before ours. This can be expected with any custom made orders, we would not want them to rush any projects and cut corners. I would rather have him put the necessary time and care to do things right, and we got exactly what we wanted. Thank you Dana Valley, I would highly recommend to you, 5 stars all around!
Bowie Sims
Mar 7, 2018Dana did an exquisite job on our custom bed for our daughter. He thought of everything and once it was assembled, we were delighted. He is also very prompt with communication.
Bradley Morone
Feb 24, 2018Took a bit of time but that's ok, everything went fine overall except the final product just wasn't really what I hoped for. The stain is far off, and now I need to spend more money on an additional professional locally to finish it better. I have certainly learned if I go custom, use local, the fact they couldn't come and see the products they were trying to match in real life and only via photos really put a damper on this entire project. That aside Dana's communication is probably second to none and is as helpful as can be.
