Home » All Products   Appalachian Ladderback Rocker - In Bocote Details  Hand crafted in our studio, Appalachian ladderback rockers are built using traditional tools and time-honored techniques. Rear legs and back slats are steamed and placed in bending jigs for two weeks while the wood thoroughly dries and their unique shapes are permanently formed. Then we use a variety of hand tools including spoke shaves and draw knives to refine the shapes and make other components such as the rungs and arms. The rockers are bent glue laminations to maximize strength, minimize spring-back and form a pleasing shape. The chairs are assembled using traditional adhesives and wood dowels where needed for strength. Then, the seats are hand-woven from hickory bark in a traditional Shaker herringbone weave. Finally, all wood surfaces are hand sanded and finished with a satin-smooth hand-rubbed oil finish. This rocker was made from Bocote. Take particular notice of the back slats, which were cut from a single piece of "birdseye" figured Bocote, a very rare and unusual grain for Bocote. The six slats were"slip matched" from top to the bottom, each showing nearly identical grain. The seat is "ebonized" hickory bark, providing a beautiful contrast with the color of the Bocote wood. The back slats are pinned using genuine ebony with a hand-carved detail. Bocote is a very hard, dense wood with colors that vary from bright yellow, to creamy whites, browns with black striping. One of the most beautiful woods is existence, it has to be seen to be truly appreciated. Our Bocote comes from Southern Mexico and is sustainably harvested and imported under license from Mexico. Bocote is a particularly difficult wood to work with, making this rocker a unique and rare example of the art and craft of ladderback chair making. We have only one made in this wood. Once it is gone, we will likely not build another from Bocote. Price: Contact Us for Details   Appalachian Ladderback Rocker - In Rosewood Details  Hand crafted in our studio, Appalachian ladderback rockers are built using traditional tools and time-honored techniques. Rear legs and back slats are steamed and placed in bending jigs for two weeks while the wood thoroughly dries and their unique shapes are permanently formed. Then we use a variety of hand tools including spoke shaves and draw knives to refine the shapes and make other components such as the rungs and arms. The rockers are bent glue laminations to maximize strength, minimize spring-back and form a pleasing shape. The chairs are assembled using traditional adhesives and wood dowels where needed for strength. Then, the seats are hand-woven from hickory bark in a traditional Shaker herringbone weave. Finally, all wood surfaces are hand sanded and finished with a satin-smooth hand-rubbed oil finish. This rocker was made from dalbergia retusa ("Cocobolo") a true rosewood. Take particular notice of the back slats, which were cut from a single piece of "flame" figured Cocobolo, a beautiful example of Cocobolo figure. The six slats were"slip matched" from top to the bottom, each showing nearly identical grain. The seat is "ebonized" hickory bark, providing a beautiful contrast with the color of the rosewood. The back slats are pinned using genuine ebony with a hand-carved detail. Cocobolo is a very hard, dense wood with colors that vary from bright yellow, to deep violets, reds and browns with black striping. One of the most beautiful woods is existence, it has to be seen to be truly appreciated. Our cocobolo comes from Southern Mexico and is sustainably harvested and imported under license from Mexico. Cocobolo is a particularly difficult wood to work with, making this rocker a unique and rare example of the art and craft of ladderback chair making. We have only one made in this wood. Once it is gone, we will likely not build another from Cocobolo. Price: $9750.00   Natural Live Edge Parota Slabs Details  We have a huge selection of natural "live" edge Parota slabs  perfect for beautiful and unique pieces of furniture, counter or bar tops, fireplace mantels, etc. When we first saw these slabs, their striking grain and unusual shape immediately brought to mind a "Nakashima-style table." We also have several slabs cut as a bookmatched or sequenced "flitch" (i.e. sequentially cut boards from the same log). The curved shape and size would make for unique and massive dining or conference table. Alternatively, a set of two or more benches made from these matching slabs would make for impressive but casual seating. But don't limit your imagination. One of these slabs would also make a beautiful roomy coffee, occasional, display or end table, or a headboard. All slabs have a grain color similar to Koa, or can be stained to take on a deep walnut appearance. Graining and figure vary from slab to slab and across each lot. Rough dimensions of available slabs range from (approx): 96"L x 22"W (in center) x 19"W (at ends) and 2" thick, to a massive 144"L x 44"W and as much as 4" thick. The photograph of one slab is exemplary of this species and slabs we have in stock. Slab was sanded on one side and misted with water and alcohol so that the grain and figure would be more visible and appear as it will when finished. Color varies from deep brown, to red-brown, to near-creamy white in the sapwood areas. There are areas of pronounced curly figure near the center. Parota is very similar to Koa in color and graining, but lighter in weight. Minor checking and cracks will be visible in the finished piece and add character. Larger checks and cracks can be reinforced using "butterfly" splines or inlays in the Nakashima style and/or epoxy inlay. These inlays add both beauty, a unique design element and strength. To see more information about this material and to see some design suggestions, please click on the "Details" link. Tassajara Designs reserves the right to examine customer-supplied designs, or other design options, prior to quoting price and delivery. Allow for 6-12 weeks for production. Price and availability subject to prior sale and limited to material on hand.   Price: Contact Us for Details   Tana 38" Bench In Parota - 18"H x 38"W x 13-3/4"D Details  This version of our Tana 38" Bench is made from Parota, a gorgeous wood from Mexico. Althought plentiful, Parota is not widely known or used in furniture. It has a beautiful deep brown to light brown and caramel coloring with pronounced grain structure. It has an appearance very similar to Koa. Parota is very difficult to work with and requires extraordinary patience and special tools and experience to achieve superior results. The deep rich red-browns and caramel colors of this piece is further accentuated by the bookmatched top, sides and shelves and the use of Ebony pins for the joinery. The hand-rubbed natural linseed finish is smooth as silk to the touch and brings a depth and clarity to the natural color that has to be seen to be believed. You can click here to see the beautiful grain and color of the bookmatched top on this bench. This is a one-of-a-kind piece when its gone, there won't be another to replace it. Price and availability subject to prior sale. Price: $1195.00   Tana 38" Bench In Rosewood - 18"H x 38"W x 13-3/4"D Details  This version of our Tana 38 Bench was recently named winner of the prestigious Sponsor's Award at the San Diego County Fair 2005 "Designs in Wood" exhibition. One of the true tropical rosewoods, Cocobolo (dalbergia retusa) is probably the most beautiful exotic wood available, ranging from a beautiful rich dark brick red, to reddish or dark brown, with a figuring of darker irregular traces weaving through the wood. Cocobolo is very difficult to work with and requires extraordinary patience and special tools and experience to achieve superior results. The deep rich red-browns and black colors of this piece is further accentuated by the bookmatched top, sides and shelves and the use of Ebony pins for the joinery. The hand-rubbed wax finish is smooth as silk to the touch and brings a depth and clarity to the natural color that has to be seen to be believed. This is a one-of-a-kind piece when its gone, there won't be another to replace it. Price and availability subject to prior sale. Price: $3195.00   Tana 67" Book Shelf - 66-1/2"H x 19-1/2"W x 14"D   Whether you need a sturdy but fashionable bookcase, or simply a beautiful setting to place your objects d'art, the Tana-67 bookshelf is up to the task. Six sturdy shelves provide ample space in this 67" high unit. The sleek lines are a fusion of Arts & Crafts styling with a contemporary flair that looks good from any vantage point, even as a divider between separate spaces. Our current in-stock unit is made from amber vertical grain bamboo. We can build these units using a variety of materials including sustainable woods, bamboo and other woods in our inventory.  Here's some of the things that make our Tana design collection unique: Precision through-mortise and tenon joints. These make for a very strong and stable unit that is very easy to assemble or disassemble for moving without tools or fasteners. Available in renewable/environmentally friendly materials. We like bamboo, a unique material made from laminations of bamboo, a renewable resource that is both strong and beautiful. We use non-toxic, environmentally friendly adhesives. This means our shop, and your home, are free of dangerous chemicals and gasses, making them healthier places to live and work. We use a non-toxic, zero-voc natural oil for an authentic hand-rubbed finish. This product contains no solvents or heavy metal driers. Our finishes are natural and considered "food safe." Like all of our furniture, the Tana designs are hand crafted by local artisans in our studio in Carlsbad, California U.S.A., not imported. Price: $840.00   Tu Bubinga Coffee Table - 18"H x 48"L x 24"W Details  The unusual joinery and curves of this coffee table were a late night inspiration over a sketch pad. The shape of the legs speak of a distinct asian influence with dramatic 5" radius curves at the head and foot. The sweeping curve at the head of the leg is carried seamlessly into the top with the same radius on the underside. The intersection of the skirt rails flow seamlessly into the legs as well, continuing the theme of the 5" radius curves. Highly figured pomele bubinga was used for the legs, skirts and top and a thin ebony reveal separates the top from the rails. After applying a tung oil undercoat to highlight the figure and color of the grain, the top received six coats of conversion varnish and was polished to a glass-like sheen. This is a limited production piece, subject to availability of materials. Once this piece is sold, it may be difficult to duplicate it with these materials. This design is available in other materials. Contact us for further details and pricing. Price: $3950.00   Zensho Coffee Table - 42"W x 42"L x 15"H Details  We've blended simple contemporary lines with a slightly Asian design influence to create Zensho™. Each piece is made from sustainably-harvested bamboo and finished with a non-toxic stain and hand-rubbed zero-VOC oil process to a silky-smooth satin luster. Our exclusive Ebano hand-tooled texture and aged stain finish technique adds an exotic flair unique to the Zensho collection. Only one currently available at this price. Other sizes, materials and finishes available, contact us for further details. Price: $745.00