FRED SWEGLES , STAFF
The living room of David Weld’s San
Clemente home looks more like a laboratory of distinctive furniture in
varying stages of completion.
The room is filled with custom pieces that Weld is making for sale to people who appreciate the natural complexions of wood.
As
a general contractor with 25 years’ experience around Orange County,
Weld said he has been privileged to work on some spectacular homes. As
clients have learned of his passion for turning natural-edge wood and
reclaimed barn lumber into fine-art furniture, those talents are
becoming a spin-off of his trade. We asked him about it:
A. I
have enjoyed working on the most beautiful homes in Orange County. I
have often been asked by interior designers on the jobs to create and
customize my woodworking.
After 25 years of contracting, I enjoy
being challenged by designing and creating unique pieces of furniture
from raw lumber. It is a sense of accomplishment to see the finished
product.
Q. What is most eye-catching about the furniture?
A. It
is unique, artistic, organic furniture. I use reclaimed and live-edge
wood for most projects. Live edge or natural edge is a style of
furniture where a craftsman incorporates the natural edge of the wood
into the design ...
Therefore, each piece of furniture is a one-of-a-kind creation.
Q. How much competition is there in the area?
A. There are some, but mostly they are hobbyists.
Q. What kinds of furniture have you made?
A. I recently was commissioned to fabricate five mortise-and-tenon benches for a client in San Juan Capistrano.
Another client, in San Clemente, chose a blue gum live-edge slab that I had fabricated.
Q. How long does it take to craft a project, and what special skills does it require?
