Maloof Inspired Side Table | Walnut | Figured Walnut

 

The Sam Maloof Inspired Walnut Side Table

To be entirely clear, I take no credit for the brilliant engineering and design of this piece—all honor belongs to the legendary California master craftsman, Sam Maloof. In his writings, Maloof recounted how the form was born after a large tree fell in his yard, exposing its raw, interlocking root system to the elements. This table is a faithful tribute to a stunning design. At a passing glance, the base looks like a single, fluid piece grown right out of the floor. Look closer at the shifting grain patterns, and you will discover the brilliant puzzle within: it is actually constructed from thirteen separate, interlocking solid hardwood components seamlessly sculpted into one cohesive foundation. The round tabletop with its full round-over counts as the fourteenth piece of the puzzle.

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Choose Your Tabletop Style

To maintain the clean lines of the 13-piece sculpted root base, I intentionally build the foundation out of premium, non-figured solid walnut. This grounds the table and prevents the design from looking too busy. The last piece—the round tabletop—is where your choice happens. I offer this table with two different tabletop options:

• Traditional Walnut Top: Crafted from premium, clean, straight-grained solid walnut. This option offers a classic, elegant look that beautifully complements the walnut base and your existing walnut pieces
• The Figured Walnut Top: For a truly striking center of attention, I pull from my stock of unique figured walnut to craft a top that behaves like a piece of natural abstract art. Depending on the piece of wood, it showcases deep shimmering curls and dramatic swirls. When the light hits the full round-over edge, the grain takes on a three-dimensional depth. No two pieces will ever look alike.

Whether you choose the understated beauty of the traditional top or the vibrant drama of the figured walnut, your piece will match the exact dimensions, structural design, and meticulous craftsmanship of the table pictured. Please expect beautiful, natural variations in grain pattern, luster, and color tones.

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A Perfect Mid-Century Companion

I initially built a pair of these tables for my own living room because buying an original Maloof piece is a distant dream for most of us. Placed next to a mid-century sofa or a lounge chair, they proved to be the absolute perfect architectural height. To ground the design and honor traditional fine-furniture techniques (and Sam Maloof), the joinery is highlighted with genuine ebony wood accents that offer a stunning contrast to the rich walnut.

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Finished by Hand

A piece like this cannot be rushed, stained, or sprayed with plastic. I hand-apply five separate coats of a specialized oil-and-wax blend, which brings out the deep luster of the walnut hardwood. The result is a beautiful sheen that begs to be touched. It isn’t plastic-glossy and it isn’t dull; it is just enough sheen to let the natural, rich warmth of the walnut grain breathe. Every table ships with a straightforward care guide—no harsh chemical sprays or furniture polish needed, just a clean cloth and a splash of water.

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Dimensions & Specifications

• • • Tabletop Width: 23″
    • Height: 22 1/2″ (Optimized for mid-century sofas and lounge chairs)
    • Base Width at “Roots”: 13 1/2″
    • Material: Solid Walnut Hardwood with Genuine Ebony Accents

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Made to Order For You

You will not receive the exact table pictured here. I will build your piece entirely from scratch in my Southern California workshop. Because of the extreme complexity of sculpting 13 interlocking joints by hand and matching the premium figured top, please allow 5 to 6 weeks for completion.

When your table is finished, it will be stamped, signed, and numbered on the underside as a true mark of authentic, limited-run craftsmanship.