Dawn’s Table

Not a very original title, I’ll admit — but this is Dawn’s table. Dawn is my sister and one of my biggest supporters (love you). This fall, we met up for Kansas City’s renowned First Weekend in the West Bottoms. If you’ve never been, go.

The West Bottoms is a collection of old, multi-level warehouses filled with vintage, antique, and home décor treasures — much of it created by local artisans and makers. Floor after floor of beautiful, handmade work, with inventory that’s constantly changing. If something catches your eye, don’t hesitate — it won’t be there when you come back.

While browsing Bella Patina, we came across a booth featuring various reclaimed woods, including barn wood and this cedar slab. In addition to creating art, I love woodworking and furniture-making, and the moment I saw this piece, I knew exactly what it wanted to become. The slab was split down the middle, with the interior naturally rotted away — making it perfect for a resin fill.

As my first project of this kind, it came with its challenges, but it was an invaluable learning experience. I’m proud of the final result. The wood was left untreated; the variation in color comes entirely from the resin, which draws out the cedar’s natural tones and highlights its growth rings.

I loved working with this material so much that I contacted the seller and purchased four more slabs. Dawn has already claimed a second table — but that still leaves three more waiting for their next chapter.