Luka Design Works

Had an off cut piece of Cocobolo, that I used to make a custom tea light holder for a friend of mine that I’m gonna be visiting this weekend. Just a simple design with leather inserts in the holders and a place for the matches. The piece of Cocobolo is gorgeous. Thanks @exotichardwoods for the beautiful Cocobolo as always. Just a side note, I know I have been kinda MIA lately. Been sick and in and out of the hospital. I’m hoping to get myself back on my feet here sooner than later. Thanks for all the the support, it means more to me than y’all know. The smallest amount of love, can sometimes have the biggest positive impact in this world. #lukadesignworks #woodworking #tropicalexotichardwoods #cocobolo #tealightholder #homedecor #customdesign #craftmanship #finefurniture (at Playa Vista, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuLskYOHTRe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7uzl0hcd38yx

Finally! The big project I was working on, for my client and good friend, is finished. It’s a watch case/ jewelry box. Room for 10 watches and extra storage and removable tray in the middle. Lots of little details in this box. Made from solid Chakte Viga and American Black Walnut. Nice box joints for the corners. Hardware is all solid brass including the feet. It’s lined with a top grain orange and brown Nappa leather. I hand stitched the little pulls on the tray. The top is a book matched piece of beautiful crotch Walnut with feathering. There was a knot on both sides and it gave me the idea to drill the knots out. In their place, I poured epoxy resin which I dyed orange. When you look at the top, with the hardware, it almost looks like a hawk swooping down. Or in this case, guarding what’s in the case. Now I gotta get it to Palm Springs! #lukadesignworks #exotichardwood #woodworking #walnut #chakteviga #nappaleather #brass #jewelrybox #watchcase #horology #design #custom #craftsmanship (at Playa Vista, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BroL-rxHpvI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7oiot2hd4onc

A serving tray with brass handles. Made from solid American Beech, Burmese Teak, Black Walnut, and Alder. It has a certain elegance to it that I like. #lukadesignworks #woodworking #servingtray #beech #teak #walnut #alder #exotichardwood (at Playa Vista, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Brml0HonZ8U/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g3npzsrn6tyq

A small side table made with a black steel base and a custom made top. The top is a two piece book match of Leopardwood and the frame around it, is Thai Rosewood. I really like the result. #lukadesignworks #customfurniture #solidhardwood #exotichardwood #leopardwood #thairosewood #rosewood #woodworking #table #bookmatch (at Playa Vista | Private Location) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrkatG0HGcP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=edgvipg3pmhi

A simple cutting board/ serving tray made of solid American Beech, Bolivian Purpleheart, and Burmese Rosewood. Was a house warming gift for a friend. #lukadesignworks #solidhardwood #beechwood #purpleheartwood #burmeserosewood #cuttingboard #servingtray #housewarming (at Lake Forest, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrBL18Nnnoy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=38ajjd7kfz6c

A set of three frames out of solid Rengas (sometimes called Borneo Rosewood) with solid Gaboon Ebony inlay. The luster from just the hand rubbed wax, was pretty awesome! Looking forward to presenting this to a friend today. #lukadesignworks #woodworking #craftsman #rengas #borneorosewood #gaboonebony #pictureframe #decor #exotichardwoods (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqw9O4on-w5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1393zaj8778j8

A set of 6 coasters out of solid Bocote with an epoxy resin top coat; in a solid Peruvian Walnut case. Each coasters is two pieces of Bocote that are mirror images of each other. Will be sending it out tomorrow to my client in NC. I’m very happy with the result. Shout out to @exotichardwoods for the amazing Bocote. #lukadesignworks #craftsman #woodworking #hardwood #bocote #peruvianwalnut #coasters #decor (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqwgfk9HbJN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=elsq96lc445s

Jewelry box for a client’s father. Made out of solid quilted maple, and solid Coco Bolo, with a very beautiful book matched Coco Bolo bottom. The sides are padded with a top grain brown cow hide. #lukadesignworks #woodworking #craftsmanship #bespoke #jewelrybox #maple #cocobolo #box #hardwood (at Playa Vista, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoqKnIpnZEq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13tpajtptex1s

A pair of nightstands I just finished for a client/ friend in Palm Springs. Made out of solid American Black Walnut and Chakte Viga. No screws or nails in these nightstands. All joinery. Finished with a hand rubbed wax finished. #lukadesignworks #woodworking #nightstand #walnut #chakteviga #solidhardwood #craftsmanship #midcenturymodern #palmsprings (at Palm Springs, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BomKvV6HKif/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1s6jp8vqu104r

A solid hardwood clock I made today. Materials are solid Verawood (aka Argentinian Lignum Vitae) and Camatillo (aka Mexican Kingwood). Shout out to @exotichardwoods for the awesome Camatillo and @bellforestprod for the phenomenal Verawood. #lukadesignworks #clock #verawood #camatillo #hardwood #woodworking #craftsman #design (at Playa Vista) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoTBIvwHHMR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18s81ry5fuhc

Made a keepsake box for a very close friend of mine that came to visit from SF. Box is made from solid Chakte Viga (bottom), Peroba Rosa (sides of box), Yellowheart (top), Lignum Vitae (knob). #lukadesignworks #woodworking #chakteviga #perobarosa #yellowheart #lignumvitae #exotichardwood #keepsakebox #friends (at Playa Vista, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnNL8PLAcFM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ca8jjjnt3nxb

Just another quick an easy bathroom waste bin. Octagonal shape made of solid yellowheart and African Padauk. With the bottom being a small cookie of Hawaiian Koa. Little copper studs act as feet. #lukadesignworks #woodworking #hardwood #unique #wastebin #bathroom #yellowheart #padauk #koa (at Playa Vista, California)

Just got done installing a dry erase board sill over @fanologysocial . It was awesome working with their Chief Creative Officer @ajlewisjr . Just want to thank him and his team for the awesome opportunity to create something useful and interesting for the office. The sill was made with solid Leopardwood and Chakte Viga. In addition the the sill, I also made a couple cups, one for the sill and one for the conference table; to hold pens and markers. I can’t wait to hear what’s they think on Monday morning! #lukadesignworks #fanologysocial #sill #leopardwood #chakteviga #solidhardwood #commercialproject #woodworking #networking (at Culver City, California)

A couple of bathroom trash bins I made for a couple of friends that just moved into my building. The first one is made of solid American Ash with a Black Walnut base. The second is octagonal bin made from solid Guanacaste, with a Black Walnut base. #lukadesignworks #solidhardwood #bathroom #trashbin #onlyforfriends #wood #woodworking (at Playa Vista, California)

Chillin’ at the park with my bud Levi. Beautiful day, great company, life is good. #delorespark #sf #park #friends #lifeisgood #happy (at Dolores Park San Francisco City)

Made a chess board with a stand/ compartment for the pieces. It was for a client, who wanted to give it to his brother as a gift. Made from solid Peruvian Walnut (dark squares) and solid Bubinga (reddish squares). The playing field has a solid border of Gaboon ebony. The inside is lined with a full grain calf skin leather. Shout out to @exotichardwoods for the Peruvian Walnut and bubinga. #lukadesignworks #tropicalexotichardwoods #craftsmanship #woodworking #peruvianwalnut #bubinga #gaboonebony #exoticwood (at Playa Vista, California)