Goblet Base Dining Table from Inventia Design Is Greenspiration Home American Made Pick-of-the-Week

(3BL Media / the CSR Feed) February 2, 2012- We were kind of crazy about this goblet base dining table from Inventia Design – our Greenspiration Home American Made Pick-of-the-Week. Then we spoke to the folks who designed and built it, Sue Bonham and Buck O’Kelly, owners of Inventia Designs in Portland, Oregon, and we were even crazier about them. Together, they have it all – an eye for great and functional design and the technical skill to execute their ideas into pieces that not only replicate the look of European antiques but their exquisite craftmanship as well.

Sue is the designer and Buck is the executor. It is a “match made in heaven” for this furniture making team that created a fabulous niche for themselves after listening to a local antique dealer lament the fact that her supply of European antique farm tables was drying up. They went back to their workshop to see if they could build something that might help fill that gap. The result was a simple, beautiful farm table, which led to a new avenue for their work.    Craftsmanship Worth Celebrating Inventia Design furniture not only has that sought-after-old-world-look, it is all made in Oregon using mostly locally sourced wood. The quintessential craftsman/woodworker, Buck takes into account all of the factors affecting sustainability - including imbedded energy.   “We stay away from tropical woods or anything that needs to be shipped overseas, and stick with local species,” said Buck. “In Portland we are overrun with trees, and we have some local outfits who mill and dry trees that come from peoples' property -- ones that needed to be cut down anyway,” said Buck.   Sue is the designer and constantly strives for more authentic antique wood and paint finishes – including her relentless pursuit of the perfect “scrubbed everyday light driftwood that’s 100 yrs old” finish. (Did we mention this couple’s ability to create a niche?) She also loves working with milk paint and other natural materials.   The pride these two take in the furniture they produce is evident.  Sue told us that she is often on “pins and needles” while a piece is being shipped, hoping the client will be as happy with it as they are. You don’t find that kind of heartfelt craftsmanship often, and it should be celebrated.    Most of Inventia Design’s furniture is custom order although the company also supplies some local antique stores. They also have products on www.FarFetchers.com which has brought them business from clients across the US.    Greenspiration Home LLC is an online resource dedicated to helping homeowners build, renovate, and decorate green.  The Greenspiration Home American Made “Pick-of-the-Week” campaign is part of the publication’s initiative to educate consumers about domestically made home décor options.   GREE20763