The California Series comes in three sizes: a large size desk, a medium size (which can feature either desk height or coffee table height legs), and a small coffee table.

DESK [L]: $2950  86″ long, 29.5″ tall 

DESK [M]: $2350  72″ long, 29.5″ tall 

COFFEE TABLE [M]: $2250  72″ long, 16″ tall 

COFFEE TABLE [S]: $1650  56″ long, 16″ tall 

To purchase:

Desk (large) $2,950.00 Desk (medium) $2,350.00 Coffee Table (medium) $2,250.00 Coffee Table (small) $1,650.00

[SF Bay Area residents: please email for a custom invoice with free delivery.]

The California shape offers ideal function as desk or coffee table, and brings to mind all of the positive associations with “the golden state”: artistic contribution, technical innovation, entertainment production, political progression, and diversity of population and geographies.

Claro walnut, a perfect analog to the left coast’s culture and people, possesses a spectrum of colors and textures, unique among wood species. And, it’s rare. Because Claro walnut is not harvested commercially at any significant scale, it is obtained mostly through small, independent sawyers who are able to spare displaced or dead trees from the landfill or chipper. Since the species is no longer planted in the orchards, it’s availability is finite and shrinking year by year.

I can think of no greater tribute to this material than to create from it functional pieces of furniture in the shape of it’s geographic origin. Also, it’s cool. Way better than a rectangle.

All table and desk tops are finished with a low-toxic tung-oil; steel legs are powder-coated. Delivery is free to destinations in the San Francisco Bay area. Shipping charges within the continental U.S. are: $100/small table, $150/medium table or desk, $200/large desk. Personal delivery is available to destinations in California at the above rates. Allow 4-8 weeks for delivery.

In addition to the standard California Series, J.R.F.S also produces a limited number of special edition California desks and tables every year. The wood for these pieces is selected from the highest grade of heavily-figured Claro walnut. Most of this rare lumber becomes reserved for instrument making, gunstocks, or veneer, but we think a showcase piece for your home is the most noble use.

Limited Edition California pieces also feature a sculptural cantilevered base made from native oak treated with a natural vinegar stain to achieve a charcoal-colored patina. Every extra step is taken in the construction and finishing to ensure these pieces are “museum quality” works of functional art that will only appreciate in value. Early J.Rusten pieces have already been offered for sale on the secondary art market.

Like the standard California Series, Limited Edition California pieces are available in a large desk size, medium desk, medium coffee table, and small coffee table. Additionally, a bar-height version of the large desk can be custom ordered. Pricing reflects the scarcity and expense of this precious wood, and the time demanded to create the sculptural base and meticulously-wrought detailing.

DESK [L]: $9450  86″ long, 29.5″ tall 

DESK [BAR HEIGHT]: $9950  86″ long, 42″ tall 

DESK [M]: $7350  72″ long, 29.5″ tall 

COFFEE TABLE [M]: $6450  72″ long, 16″ tall 

COFFEE TABLE [S]: $4950  56″ long, 16″ tall 

Bar-height wine “tasting table”.

Limited Edition California tables are finished with a low-toxic tung-oil. Personal delivery is free to destinations in the San Francisco bay area, and just $100 anywhere within the state of California. For shipping/delivery rates outside of California, email for a quote. Please allow 10-12 weeks for creation/delivery. Custom sizing/features available.

Raw oak base before vinegar solution.

$2500 available

I purchased a tree that was displaced by development some years ago. With the help of a local tree surgeon/sawyer, I milled the tree into slabs, air-dried them in my backyard for 2-3 years, and have recently begun building these coffee tables in a mid-century style.

The slabs are California Claro Walnut, which has been used for centuries as the root stock in local walnut orchards. In all of these slabs, you can clearly see the line at the top where the Claro Walnut was grafted to the fruit-bearing English Walnut. I have seldom seen more beautiful wood with greater variety of color. There are blues, blacks, and purples in the midst of the swirling red, brown, and orange.

The bases are made of  Piedmont Poplar -salvaged from a tree in Oakland.

Each of these tables is approximately 56-58″ long, 42-44″ wide, and 15″ tall. Slab thicknesses vary in places from 1.25″ to 1.75″.

There are currently 2 slab tables remaining. Email for specific photos or to visit and view them in the studio.

Personal delivery is free to any client located in the SF Bay area. Everywhere else in California is $100. Domestic shipping outside CA will vary in the $200-350 range.

$2500built to order

The Cupertino Cantilever table is a study in balance and strength using traditional woodworking techniques (half-blind dovetails in this case), and a spare, rectilinear silhouette that is separated from the ground by a minimal maple base. I was gratified to find that the extended plane of the top could support my full weight with little deflection (I’m not encouraging your own testing.)

Made from Black walnut and Hard maple.

The dimensions of this piece are approximately 21″ W x 49″ L x 15″ H.

The following are photos of the first version of this design in a slightly larger size (30″ W x 60″ L x 16″ H).

The asymmetrical dovetail pattern is determined by the widths of the 5 boards that are glued together to compose the carcass.