From Chaos to Calm: The Story of the Kintsugi Coffee Table
There is a question I am always nervous to ask new clients during our discovery process, but it often yields the most important answer: “How do you want this piece to make you feel?”
It’s a nebulous question compared to “what are the dimensions?” or “what’s your budget?” But when I asked this for a recent commission, the answer was immediate. The clients wanted a coffee table that made them and their guests feel calm. They hoped for Eastern influences and a design that reflected their personal narrative.
They shared a book they had written, and on the cover was an image of Kintsugi — the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer. This concept, often called “golden joinery,” treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.
That image sparked a vision. We set out to create a piece that didn’t just sit in a room, but told a story of “crisis and cure” — transforming the chaos of creation into a final, serene object.
Designing for Emotion
To achieve the “calm” the clients desired, we had to move away from the rigid straight lines and sharp corners typical of standard woodworking. We needed organic flow.
Using modern design tools, including AI-driven sketching to explore rapid iterations, I developed a design featuring complex, curvy legs that seem to flow seamlessly into the apron. The goal was to create a silhouette that felt soft and inviting, despite the complexity of the joinery holding it together.
But the centerpiece of the design remained the table top. To truly honor the spirit of Kintsugi, we couldn't just paint a gold line; we needed the real thing. I decided to carve a “void” into the wood and fill it with molten brass—literally illuminating the “repair.”
Watch the full story, from fiery forge to final polish.
The Art of the Pour
Realizing this vision required collaboration. I partnered with Bradley Schwarz, a local blacksmith in North Durham, to bring the metalwork to life.
This process was experimental and high-stakes. We weren’t just fitting parts together; we were pouring 1,700°F molten brass directly into a void carved into the wood. It is a process that invites risk. In fact, during our first attempt, a crucible tipped, sending fiery brass scattering across the table.
But just like the philosophy of Kintsugi suggests, mistakes are not the end of the story — they are part of the process. We collected the brass, melted it back down, and poured again.
Refining the Chaos
When the brass cooled, the surface looked like a “Mars battlefield” — charred, uneven, and chaotic. It was far from the “calm” the client asked for.
The true craftsmanship came in the refinement. Through hours of surfacing, grinding, and polishing, we cut back the burns and excess metal to reveal the gleaming brass inlay flush against the rich wood. We paired this dramatic top with a drawer featuring exposed dovetail joinery — a nod to traditional craft that offers a quiet, functional beauty.
A Reflection of Life
The final piece is a study in contrasts: the organic, flowing legs support a top that evidences fire and heat, yet the surface is perfectly smooth and cool to the touch.
When the clients received the table, their response was everything a maker hopes for: "WOW. We both LOVE it."
It was no longer just a coffee table. It was a reflection of their lives and their story. It is a privilege to work with clients who trust the creative process, allowing us to experiment and push boundaries to create something truly expressive.
Let’s Start Your Story
I have a vision for Starr Woodworks to create expressive, meaningful furniture designed just for you. If you are looking for a piece that tells a story — whether it’s a dining table for family gatherings or a statement piece for your office — I would love to create something together.
See more in the portfolio.
