ORIGIN STORY
Years ago while living in the mountains of Italy, I watched a 14th-Century monastery transform into a lovely artists’ residence.
During demolition, the carpenters exposed a giant old growth beam from behind the plaster ceiling of the main building. They quickly cleaned and repositioned the beam to accent the parlor floor with a single brick at the center of the ceiling engraved with the date: 1347.
The experience made my vital signs go up a couple of notches.
This was when I realized: I was more than a storyteller, I was a craftsman.
La Mama Umbria International located outside the town of Spoleto in the mountain village of Bazzano Superiore.
THE MOMENT
My time in Italy galvanized my appreciation for long-term durability in craft + design; simple things should last a long time.
Years later, when my wife and I had our hands dirty in the garden, we were disappointed by the pre-fabricated boxes available on the market; they were affordable, but crumbled under the pressure of moist soil.
One day, I stepped backwards onto a garden bed and it crumbled like a cracker.
I set out to make my own box, strong enough to bear the weight of a full grown gardener!
I fashioned a few boards together and started a garden box business.
SIMPLE BOX
My aim was to create an elegant, yet durable box for herbs + vegetables.
The basic Simple Box was born. Made with Douglas Fir lumber, I used a drill press to secure each side with steel bolts, instead of screws, which I’d seen give way under pressure.
Cedar + Steel
The boxes became more advanced. The Simple Box couldn’t satisfy my urge to try new materials. I started using reclaimed Western Red Cedar, wood from NYC water towers, Teak from the USS Battleship New Jersey, Cherry, and Mahogany. I chose hot-rolled steel with a powder coat for durable corner brackets that resist rust. The hardware, antique-style square-head bolts, was sourced from a Portland company. I often finished the wood with natural oils and pigments, like Odie’s Oil.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic made lumber and hardware prices too high. Since I’m not a carpenter but a skilled craftsman, production stopped for the garden boxes as I shifted my focus to my true passion:
Teak Rejuvenation.
TEAK, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE
It was a snowy April day. An estate sale worker in a CBGB’s t-shirt, with piercings and tattoos, smoked a cigarette while on the phone. There was a beautiful oval teak table and six sturdy chairs that needed repairs. I noticed a brass tag covered in mud on the table's base. Kneeling down, I cleaned it off and found a Kingsley-Bate brand tag. When I asked the price, the worker said it was $500. A week later, I started watching YouTube, and the rest is history. Teak that.
In college, I prepared for a study program to take place in Indonesia. Though the program never congealed, it helped me learn about Indonesian art and culture. I discovered that Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry often uses carved Teakwood puppets. The Gamelan, Indonesia's national orchestra, features various Teak instruments to play music honoring the Gods. Teak carries a mystical legacy, rich in stories, art, and music that are important to Indonesian culture, reflected in its beautiful grain.
Think, Outside.
Less a tag, more a philosophy, Think, Outside demands contemplation in the fresh air. I take pride in the meticulousness of my work; slow and steady. The through-line of all my work is the value of taking a moment to consider what would best serve the project. Think about it.
About
Joe Wachs is a storyteller + craftsman living in Maplewood, NJ. When not in his garden, he can be found exploring new ideas under the watchful eyes of his wife and kid.
Think, outside. 🌿
