05/21/2026
I often wonder what inspired George to build certain pieces.
The Empire table base is one of them. The amount of work it has taken to reach this point is extraordinary, and the base itself is, to say the least, a work of art.
I did a little research and here is what I found - The importance of vertical grain in Empire style furniture is deeply tied to the ideals of the early 19th century, when the Empire period emerged in France under Napoleon Bonaparte. The style was intended to project permanence, authority, order, and imperial grandeur.
Empire furniture emphasized strong architectural forms: columns, pylons, pedestals, and monolithic silhouettes. Cabinetmakers and designers treated furniture almost like miniature buildings. Because of this architectural influence, vertical grain became especially important. Running veneer continuously from bottom to top reinforced the illusion of height, strength, and structural integrity, much like the uninterrupted rise of a tree trunk, as though the tree itself were still standing tall.
Craftsmen developed highly sophisticated veneering techniques to create symmetry and continuity across curved and faceted surfaces. On pedestal and base forms especially, vertical grain visually elongated the object and gave it a dignified, monumental presence.
This was also a time when advances in veneer cutting allowed finer control over grain presentation. Shop-sawn veneer could be selected and oriented specifically to preserve long, continuous lines, while sheet veneer allowed consistency and matching across multiple faces. A vertical grain pattern suggested cultivated control over natural material — transforming wood into something architectural and imperial while still honoring the beauty of the tree itself. That is why continuous vertical grain on an Empire base feels so powerful even today: it conveys both natural vitality and human mastery.
George had a deep appreciation for this style and developed the systems we use today to carry this style forward in cypress, no less.
