Our Process

Naked Aspen Designs furniture is crafted with exceptional quality that is often defined as "Rustic-Perfection." As an artist, Rob Peeters, owner and designer, takes great pride in creating beautiful heirloom quality furniture that will last for many generations. Every item is guaranteed for life from any craftsmanship or integrity defects.

The process starts in the forest where Rob hand picks the aspen logs for their unique character that makes every piece special. All the trees used are "standing dead" which means they have been dead for sometime, but have not fallen down. The trees usually die due to elk chewing, environmental elements, or natural processes.

Once the logs are in his workshop, Rob examines them finding exactly what is needed for each project. By carefully inspecting the grain of the log, he can often see how it will look once the log is cut open. By sanding off the remaining bark and dirt, the "tiger stripe" look that many of logs have on the outer surface is revealed. Curvy or burled logs often stand out guiding Rob's creativity. Next, sculpting and sanding of the logs is done to bring out every detail; making
each piece unique.

Using a mortise and tenon technique for all the connection joints guarantees a solid and long lasting glue joint. A draw knife and special drill attachment are used to attain the proper tenon size assuring that the assembly will fit perfectly within the mortise. Some of the other techniques used are biscuit jointing, and pocket-hole joint assembly. All glue joints have an exterior grade wood glue (in addition to structural screws) which hold the tenons in place forever.

To prepare for the finish, every piece is hand sanded with up to four different sand paper grits. A finish sander and sanding sponge ensures a super-fine surface for the sealer. Naked Aspen Designs applies a four-coat finish on every piece of furniture that is resistant to liquids and temperature changes. This process ensures a glassy- smooth surface that is durable, beautiful, and will hold up through many years of wear and tear.