Mary Santiago initially approached me to create a door providing privacy between her family room and dining room. Pleased with the result, we moved on to redesign her breakfast nook. Given the constraints of the existing built-in “L” shaped bench, the previous table was impractical due to its length. Mary, with her love for eccentric and eclectic designs, wanted a unique table that reflected her style while addressing practical concerns. I designed a table that fit perfectly into the space, allowing for comfortable entry and exit. The paulownia wood slabs I used featured a bookmatched grain pattern that was not only beautiful but also resonated with Mary’s aesthetic. This project was particularly special because the wood’s unique design harmonized perfectly with Mary’s vision, transforming the space into a functional and stylish nook.