One-of-a-kind cutting boards, charcuterie boards, and epoxy river pieces — each crafted by hand from responsibly sourced hardwoods.
Each piece tells its own story through natural grain patterns, hand-selected wood, and meticulous craftsmanship.
Every custom piece starts the same way — a trip to Owl Lumber in Des Plaines, where walnut, maple, and cherry slabs are hand-selected for grain, figure, and character. No two slabs are the same, which means no two pieces ever will be either.
From there, each piece is shaped, sanded, and finished entirely by hand. When epoxy enters the picture, it's always in service of the wood — never the other way around.
A selection of past work — from epoxy river tables to hand-carved serving boards.
From raw lumber to finished piece — every step done by hand.
Every piece begins at Owl Lumber in Des Plaines — walking the racks, reading the grain, and hand-picking a slab with the right character for your project.
Milling, jointing, and shaping the wood using a combination of hand tools and CNC to bring precision to the natural form of each slab.
For resin pieces, epoxy is carefully mixed, tinted, and poured — sometimes in multiple layers to achieve depth and clarity that complements the wood.
Sanded through progressive grits, then sealed with food-safe finishes that protect the wood and bring out every detail in the grain.
Every piece here has been made before and can be commissioned again — in the same form or adapted to your vision.
From dimensions to wood species to epoxy colors — tell me your vision and I'll bring it to life. Custom orders typically take 2–4 weeks.
Start a Custom OrderLive-edge walnut slabs hand-selected at Owl Lumber, Des Plaines — available for custom commissions
Describe what you have in mind — the more detail the better. I'll follow up within 1–2 business days to discuss and quote.
Every piece is handcrafted with care. Reach out for custom orders, wholesale inquiries, or just to say hello.
Simple, personal, and built around your vision.
Fill out the inquiry form below with as much or as little detail as you have. Not sure what you want yet? That's fine — we'll figure it out together.
I'll follow up within 1–2 business days to talk through dimensions, wood species, epoxy options, and timeline. You'll receive a clear quote before anything moves forward.
Once we've agreed on the details, a 50% deposit secures your spot. Wood is hand-selected at Owl Lumber and work begins shortly after.
Your piece is built, finished, and photographed before shipping. The remaining 50% is collected at completion. Typical lead time is 2–4 weeks.
Primarily walnut, maple, and cherry — all sourced from Owl Lumber in Des Plaines, IL. Each slab is hand-selected for grain, figure, and character. If you have a specific species in mind, mention it in your inquiry and I'll let you know what's available.
Hand wash with mild soap and warm water — never the dishwasher. Dry thoroughly after washing. Re-oil every few months with food-safe mineral oil or butcher block conditioner to keep the wood hydrated and protected.
Yes. All epoxy used is food-safe once fully cured, which takes approximately 30 days. Boards are not shipped until the epoxy has fully cured. Avoid cutting directly on the resin portion — it's decorative and durable, but a wood cutting surface is always preferable for knife work.
Live-edge refers to keeping the natural outer edge of the wood slab — the organic, uneven boundary where the tree's bark once was. No two live edges are the same, which is what makes each piece truly one of a kind.
Yes, shipping is available across the US. Pieces are carefully packed to prevent damage in transit. Shipping cost is calculated based on size and destination and included in your final quote. Local pickup in the Chicago area is also available.
Absolutely. If you'd like to come to Owl Lumber in Des Plaines to hand-pick your own slab, just mention it in your inquiry and we can coordinate. There's something special about choosing the exact piece of wood your board will come from.