When "Can You Build That?" Became One of My Favorite Projects
By Derek Burgholzer, Burky's Woodwork
There are projects that follow a blueprint, and then there are projects that begin with nothing more than a conversation.
This Black Walnut twist pedestal table base was one of those conversations.
A client came to me with an idea she had carried for years. She described a sculptural pedestal that twisted gracefully beneath a round glass tabletop. She didn't have construction drawings or dimensions figured out—just a vision she hoped someone could bring to life.
As we talked, I searched for examples that matched what she was imagining. When I finally showed her a reference image, her face lit up.
"Yes... that's exactly what I've been trying to describe."
Then came the question every custom furniture maker hears at some point.
"Can you build that?"
The honest answer was simple.
"I've never built one before... but I believe I can."
For me, that's where the excitement begins.
Starting with Solid Black Walnut
Every project starts with choosing the right material, and for this piece there was only one choice.
Black Walnut.
Its rich color, striking grain patterns, and timeless elegance made it the perfect species for a sculptural pedestal that would become the centerpiece of a dining room.
I laminated carefully selected walnut boards together to create a solid blank that would eventually become the twisted base.
At that stage, it looked nothing like the finished piece.
It was simply a large block of wood hiding a beautiful form inside.
Seven Hours Behind an Angle Grinder
Most people assume projects like this are created on a CNC machine.
This wasn't.
Once the blank was glued together, I wheeled it outside before ever picking up an angle grinder. I knew exactly how much material had to come off, and I wasn't about to fill my shop with clouds of walnut dust.
For nearly seven hours, I carved.
Then I stepped back.
Measured.
Studied the lines.
Carved some more.
There wasn't a template telling me where to stop.
No machine could tell me if the curves felt balanced.
That part relied entirely on experience, patience, and trusting my eye.
Every pass removed wood that could never be put back.
Slowly, the hard edges disappeared, revealing graceful curves that flowed naturally from the base to the top.
It was one of the most physically demanding projects I've completed, but also one of the most rewarding.
More Than Furniture
One of the things I love most about custom woodworking is that every project tells a story.
This wasn't simply about building a pedestal.
It was about taking someone's dream—something they had imagined for years—and turning it into a piece of furniture that would become part of their everyday life.
That responsibility isn't something I take lightly.
When someone trusts me with an idea they've carried for years, they're trusting more than my woodworking skills.
They're trusting my creativity.
My craftsmanship.
My attention to detail.
That's an incredible honor.
Why I Love Custom Work
People often ask me what my favorite project has been.
The truth is...
It's usually the one I've never built before.
Those projects force me to think differently, solve new problems, and grow as both a craftsman and an artist.
They're challenging.
Sometimes intimidating.
But they're also the projects that remind me why I started Burky's Woodwork in the first place.
Not to build furniture that looks like everyone else's.
But to create one-of-a-kind pieces that can't be found in a showroom.
Looking Ahead
Every custom commission leaves my shop with a little piece of my heart in it.
This Black Walnut twist pedestal is no exception.
It represents trust, creativity, perseverance, and countless hours spent chasing perfection.
If you've ever found yourself wondering...
"I have this idea... but I don't know if anyone could actually build it."
I'd love to have that conversation.
Because sometimes the most memorable projects begin with four simple words:
"Can you build this?"
And sometimes, the answer is exactly what it should be.
"Let's make it happen."
