Behind the Scenes: Crafting Resiklo's Signature Pieces

Every Resiklo Miami piece starts with raw potential. This could be reclaimed wood from a century-old building. It could be sustainable lumber from responsible sources. Skilled hands and smart design guide this material. They turn it into furniture that will last for generations in homes and businesses.

Let us show you how our most popular pieces are made.

1. The Start: Choosing the Material

We choose the material before we make any design sketches. This step needs skill. We must know how different woods act. We must see the final beauty hidden inside rough wood.

When we find reclaimed wood, we check its strength and moisture level. Old wood may look rough, but the best parts are strong beneath the surface. We look for interesting grain, color changes, and character marks. These marks will make the finished piece look even better.

Our special live-edge pieces need extra care. We look at many wood slabs. We look for pieces with a dramatic, natural edge. We need beautiful grain and strong wood. Some slabs have subtle patterns that will shine once finished. Others have striking colors that will be the main focus. Each piece of wood suggests the furniture it should become.

We choose sustainable hardwoods with the same care. We check the grain direction for strength. We look for flaws that could hurt the structure. We pick boards whose colors look great together in large pieces. This careful selection prevents problems later. It ensures top quality.

2. Design and Planning

Once materials are chosen, design work begins. For custom pieces, we talk a lot with the client. We discuss their ideas, their space needs, and how they will use the piece. We ask about furniture they already love. These talks help us understand their explicit and hidden needs.

Sketches turn these talks into visual ideas. We explore size, joint details, and features that make the piece beautiful and useful. Sometimes we make many ideas for the client to choose from. Other times, the design plan is clear right away.

Our signature designs have been changed many times. We tested different leg styles. We adjusted the top thickness. We perfected the way the natural edge met the clean joints. Every piece we build teaches us lessons for the next design.

Technical drawings show the exact size, joint methods, and building order. These plans guide our makers. Details matter a lot—the angle of the edges, the spot for support beams, and the size that keeps the piece looking right.

3. Preparation and Cutting

Raw wood must be prepared before it can become furniture.

Reclaimed wood is carefully de-nailed. This difficult process removes old metal pieces that would ruin our cutting tools. We clean the surfaces but keep the character marks we want. Sometimes, we find amazing beauty when old paint or finish is removed.

Milling cuts the wood to the exact size needed. We flatten the surfaces. We cut boards to the right width and length. This precision ensures that joints fit perfectly.

For live-edge pieces, milling flattens the top surface while leaving the natural edge untouched. We use special tools for this. The difference between the clean, cut surface and the natural, rough edge is what makes these pieces so striking.

During this stage, we decide how the wood pieces will look together. Wood for tabletops is arranged to create the most pleasing grain pattern. Wood for legs is placed for maximum strength. These choices impact how the furniture looks and performs.

4. Joinery: The Mark of Craft

The joinery phase shows the difference between simple assembly and true furniture. At Resiklo Miami, we use traditional joint methods. These methods create strength through precise fitting, not just glue and screws. These strong connections ensure the furniture lasts for decades.

Making these joints takes years of practice. Joints must fit perfectly. If they are too loose, the joint is weak. If they are too tight, the wood can split.

Our signature pieces show off the joinery. Joints that pass through the table base become a beautiful detail. They show that the structure is strong. Exposed joints on drawers also signal quality craft.

5. Assembly and Finishing

With the parts ready, assembly brings the furniture to life. This is where we see if the planning was correct. Joints should fit tightly. Surfaces should line up. The shape should match the design plan.

We fit the parts together without glue first. We check everything. Then we apply glue and use clamps. We use careful pressure to make sure the joints close tightly without damage. Good clamping is key to strength and looks.

After the glue dries, we start the refinement. We clean up any excess glue. Surfaces are sanded by hand with many different types of sandpaper until they feel silky smooth. The edges are carefully smoothed.

This refinement step makes good furniture exceptional. It is easy to rush to the finish, but proper surface work determines how the finish looks. We sand until the surfaces are perfect.

6. Finishing: Protection and Beauty

Finishing turns the sanded wood into a completed piece of furniture. Our finishing process balances beauty, performance, and environmental needs. We use eco-friendly finishes that protect the wood without harsh chemicals. We apply multiple thin coats over several days.

The finishing steps change for each project. Some clients want natural oil finishes that let the wood color change over time. Others prefer strong topcoats that resist water and wear. We explain how each option affects the look and care needed.

Applying the finish takes patience. Each coat is applied evenly. It must dry completely. Then it is lightly sanded before the next coat goes on. This creates the best protection.

For custom color matching, we create samples. We adjust the stain formula until the color is perfect. This careful work ensures new pieces blend perfectly with old furniture or match a specific design vision.

7. Final Check and Delivery

Every piece is checked completely before it leaves our shop. We check the finish quality and the overall craft. Surfaces are checked under different lights for any small flaws. Drawers and doors are tested. The sizes are checked against the plan.

This quality control ensures customers get furniture that is better than they expected. We fix any minor issue right away.

For delivery, we carefully wrap and protect the piece. We pad weak areas. We secure parts. Our goal is for the furniture to arrive in perfect condition, ready for its new home.

The Pride of Creation

Seeing pieces at different stages in our workshop is always satisfying. That rough wood slab turning into an elegant table. Those simple boards becoming a stunning cabinet. Every project reminds us why we do this work: the satisfaction of creating beautiful, strong furniture that lasts.

Our signature pieces show the mix of material knowledge, design, skill, and commitment to quality. When customers tell us years later how much they love their furniture, we know the journey from raw wood to treasured piece was a beautiful success.

Ready to order your own unique piece? Visit resiklomiami.com or schedule a meeting at our showroom to share your vision. Let us create something exceptional together.