The Workshop — How a Piece Gets Made

A few words first About the Studio

Two people, one shop, no shortcuts.

Cedar & Tallow is a two-person studio in East Austin. We don't subcontract, we don't outsource, and we don't take more commissions than we can do well. That means a longer queue — and a piece that's worth the wait.

We work in solid hardwood almost exclusively: walnut, white oak, ash, cherry, cedar for outdoor work. Finishes are hand-rubbed oil or hardwax — never spray-on. The kind of finish that gets better with use, not worse.

Every piece is signed and numbered on the underside. We keep records. If something needs care or repair in twenty years, we'll know which piece it is and how to fix it.

i. Stage One

Conversation

An email, a phone call, or coffee at the shop.

Tell us what you're picturing. Even if it's vague — "a banquette for this kitchen," "candle holders for a Christmas gift." We ask questions about the space, the use, the people who'll touch it. By the end of the conversation we'll know if we're the right shop for the job.

For small goods, this can happen entirely over email. For furniture and built-ins, we'll usually schedule a site visit.

ii. Stage Two

Design

Sketches, dimensions, finish samples.

Once the brief is clear, we develop a design package — hand sketches for smaller pieces, scaled drawings or 3D renderings for furniture and built-ins, and real material samples you can hold up to the light in your actual space.

This is the round-of-revisions stage. We work through proportions, joinery, finishes, and any integrated features (storage, lighting, electrical) until you sign off.

iii. Stage Three

Material Selection

We hand-pick every board.

Once you're in the queue, we source the lumber. For walnut and white oak, that usually means a trip to our wholesaler with your piece in mind — we pick boards based on the grain match, color, and how they'll lay out in the actual build.

You'll get a photo of the rough material with your name on it before we make a single cut. If something doesn't look right, we'll go back and re-pick.

iv. Stage Four

Build & Finish

Joinery, sanding, and the long oil cure.

The actual making. We work in batches — small goods turn over in a week or two, furniture in three to six weeks, built-ins in six to twelve. You get progress photos at the rough-build stage, the dry-fit stage, and the final-finish stage.

Finishes are all hand-rubbed — Osmo hardwax oil for indoor work, marine-grade penetrating oil for outdoor builds. Multiple coats over several days. No spray booth shortcuts.

v. Stage Five

Delivery & Care

Hand-delivered. Locally installed. Cared for forever.

Small goods ship in custom packaging. Furniture and built-ins are hand-delivered and white-glove installed across Austin and the surrounding metro. We touch up any travel marks, demo any integrated features, and hand you a care guide for the specific finish.

Final payment is due at delivery — not before. And if something needs care or repair down the road, we know which piece is yours and how to fix it.

Stage One Starts Here

A conversation is free.

No commitment, no upsell. Just an honest exchange about what you're picturing, what's realistic, and whether we're the right shop for the build.

Start the Conversation