A Rare Find
Mountain Gate Woodworks Beginnings
I was in search of rare tea and to learn more about the cultures that were home to the great Eastern philosophical traditions. So, I set out on a lengthy adventure across Asia and during my travels passed through a wood-carving village in Northern Thailand.
One afternoon, I came across three outdoor pavilions surrounded by old-growth forest. The pavilions were full of the most extraordinary furniture and wood-sculptures I'd ever seen. In the center of one pavilion was a massive Albizia Saman live-edge table. It was magnificent. I decided to import the table and in 2009, that table became the centerpiece of a traditional teahouse in Venice, California, and later in Telluride, Colorado.
While most people visited the teahouses to try our vast collection of rare tea, I noticed that nearly everyone noted something laudatory about the table, which has hosted thousands of tea sessions and ceremonies.
Fast forward 15 years, I contacted the design firm in Northern Thailand that specializes in sustainably-harvested live-edge tables and other furniture. Their extraordinary woodworking skills and unique pieces have always been fascinating to me. So much so, I decided to begin importing them.
I’m thrilled to be sharing them with you at Mountain Gate Woodworks. My hope is that you find the same joy in these pieces as I have over all these years.
Colin Hudon, owner
BEYOND THE TEA CEREMONY
The Table
For many of us, the most consistent nostalgic memory we carry from childhood is meals around the dining room table. We often regard the dining room table as a prosaic object because it is used so frequently. However, under closer scrutiny, we see that it serves as the heart and centerpiece of any home.
At Mountain Gate Woodworks, we regard the table as the central sacred gathering space where we share stories, commemorate special events, and create memories. It holds a magnetic pull, drawing people together in a celebration of togetherness, nourishment, and connection.
By bringing intention to the uniqueness of the table, we elevate everyday moments. It becomes a haven for intimate conversations over a cup of tea or a glass of wine, a place where burdens are shared and triumphs celebrated. The table becomes the steady and seemingly permanent throughline for moments of quiet reflection, moments of presence with loved ones, or celebrations with friends.
The table embodies the spirit of hospitality, transcending boundaries, and serving as a universal symbol of unity and community. It is a reminder that we all share a common need for connection and nourishment.
As the seasons change and years pass, the table stands as a witness to the ever-evolving dynamics of family and friendship. It holds the collective memories and traditions of generations, preserving them in its very grain, and developing deeper character with time.
The tables, and other furniture at Mountain Gate Woodworks, exist “as nature intended” with burls, butterflied cracks, undulating lines, deep textures and remarkable grain patterns.
One cannot help but feel a palpable connection to the old-growth trees from which the tables were built. We are reminded of our ever-important connection to the natural world, whether adorning our space in a bustling city or sequestered mountains.
For this reason, our debut collection includes 15 live-edge tables. Read on to learn how each one is sustainably sourced.
The table embodies the spirit of hospitality, transcending boundaries, and serving as a universal symbol of unity and community. It is a reminder that we all share a common need for connection and nourishment.
As the seasons change and years pass, the table stands as a witness to the ever-evolving dynamics of family and friendship. It holds the collective memories and traditions of generations, preserving them in its very grain, and developing deeper character with time.
The tables, and other furniture at Mountain Gate Woodworks, exist “as nature intended” with burls, butterflied cracks, undulating lines, deep textures and remarkable grain patterns.
One cannot help but feel a palpable connection to the old-growth trees from which the tables were built. We are reminded of our ever-important connection to the natural world, whether adorning our space in a bustling city or sequestered mountains.
For this reason, our debut collection includes 15 live-edge tables. Read on to learn how each one is sustainably sourced.
The Values We Share
What we stand for can be summed up with three values:
Individual Creativity
Our distinct pieces are made in an area known for their woodworking mastery, where the designers and woodworkers spend several years as apprentices honing their craft.
We know that by sourcing our furniture from this area and design firm, we are ensuring that each piece is produced with meticulous attention to detail, a distinct aesthetic, skilled craftsmanship, and a minimalist approach to solid joinery.
And by creating furniture “as nature intended,” it is readily apparent that each piece is nuanced and intriguing.
Quality
We intentionally curate Albizia Saman wood from healthy trees that are expertly chosen for their suitability for premium furniture.
The grain texture of each item is distinct, and the live edge interacts with the tree's distinctive qualities as "nature-intended."
Sustainability
Our design company follows a strict harvesting methodology.
This means we can demonstrate that every table we import is created in a sustainable manner using legally obtained, sustainably produced timber.
As for the finer details, we always know where the tree came from, who cut it down, what license was used, and how the tree was carried. And to boot, currently, we’re working on a tree planting campaign that will give a portion of proceeds to regenerative forest propagation.
“I helped Colin design the architectural plans for the teahouse in Telluride, and while the space was beautiful, it wasn’t until the Albizzia Saman table arrived from California that it truly came together. During nearly every tea session, one of our guests asked questions about where the table came from, and often got lost in the complex grain patterning. These tables are truly furniture as art. I look forward to having one in my home.”
Imported First Table
Teahouse in Venice
Teahouse in Telluride
Mountain Gate Woodworks Born
