Wooden Succulent Table: A Custom Woodwork Project

My husband, Dennis, has always wanted a workshop to tinker and create his custom woodwork projects. Since moving to the country and slowly acquiring various woodworking tools and equipment, he’s starting to create some pretty cool custom woodwork furniture and home decor. 

A few years ago, before we moved here, our home came dangerously close to being destroyed in a wildfire. So close that the fence surrounding our backyard was burned so badly that it needed to be replaced. Several big trees were also severely damaged in the fire, so when we moved here, a chainsaw was one of the first power tools Dennis bought. Here’s a video all about that:

These damaged trees have come in handy for firewood as well as inspiration for Dennis and his woodworking projects. One of my favorite pieces is a wooden succulent table he completed recently. He was inspired by a large slice of wood with a hollow center. He decided to use this as a tabletop. In his workshop, he used an electric hand planer to smooth out the surface.

In the background, you can also see the branch he carved to make the base. Here it is in more detail:

After smoothing the entire tabletop and coating it with linseed oil to deepen the color and enhance the wood grain, he decided to fill the open center area with moss, rocks, and succulent plants. He attached a piece of metal to the bottom of the wood to hold everything in place and then arranged the plants.

Here’s the final product:

We currently have it in front of the fireplace in the family room. It adds to the rustic, cabin-like feeling in the room. 

His next project is going to be another table with several wooden “petals” and a more modern, metal base. Stay tuned for more details of the next custom woodwork project.