“By Rick Barber, Founder – LMNTL Custom Game & Furniture Manufacturing”

Introduction: Nature and Design in Modern Craftsmanship

In my years of building custom furniture and game tables, I’ve worked with nearly every material combination imaginable. Two styles have consistently defined modern luxury design: live edge and epoxy resin.

Both are staples in the artisan world. Both allow designers and clients to express their vision in truly unique ways. What I’ve learned is simple:

“Neither one is better — each has its own strengths, character, and story.”

Live Edge: The Natural Conversation Piece

Live edge embraces the raw identity of wood. By revealing natural contours, curves, and rich grain patterns, you let the tree tell its own story.

Every slab has personality — growth rings, knots, and markings shaped by time and environment. No two pieces can ever be replicated, and that is what makes live edge timeless.

Designers often choose live edge because it brings:

• Warmth and texture

• Organic authenticit

• An effortless blend with stone, steel, and leather

Beyond beauty, there’s strength and structural integrity. A properly joined and finished live edge slab will outlast most design trends. Choosing live edge signals a designer’s commitment to:

✔︎ Quality
✔︎ Natural materials
✔︎ Long-term investment

hoosing live edge reflects not only craftsmanship, but the designer’s own standards. Learn more about “our philosophy and story at LMNTL”

Epoxy: The Modern Creative Canvas

Epoxy resin opened an entirely new dimension in furniture design. Where live edge preserves nature, epoxy lets us build around it — adding color, depth, and dramatic visual movement.

We use epoxy to:

• Stabilize rare or irregular wood
• Bridge natural gaps and voids
• Create flowing “river” designs that feel alive

Epoxy offers limitless creativity:

• Subtle neutrals or bold metallic pigments
• Embedded elements like stone or branding details
• Finishes that catch and reflect the light
• And it’s not just beautiful — it’s durable:

🗹 Moisture resistant
🗹 Impact resistant
🗹 Perfect for high-use environments (hospitality + homes)

Yet the true magic lies in the craftsmanship. Epoxy demands precision, patience, and a clear creative vision. When executed well, the result becomes functional art.

Live Edge vs. Epoxy: Not Competitors — Collaborators

To me, these materials are not opposites — they are two design languages telling the same story.

• Live edge whispers nature’s raw authenticity
• Epoxy reimagines nature through a modern lens

Some clients fall in love with a walnut slab’s untouched edge. Others are captivated by the depth of a deep blue resin pour.

Both reactions are real. Both create a connection to handcrafted work.

Often, the best expression is both — the grounding strength of solid wood paired with the dynamic beauty of epoxy.

That’s when a piece becomes one-of-a-kind — rooted in tradition, inspired by innovation.

At LMNTL, each handcrafted design reflects the collaboration between “our skilled artisans”
and the natural materials they work with.

 

The Future of Custom Craftsmanship

As automation and AI-generated design continue to grow, clients are looking for furniture that feels personal — not mass-produced.

They want:

🗹 Craftsmanship
🗹 Story
🗹 Something made by human hands

At LMNTL, we believe materials should serve the story — not the other way around.

In the end, it’s not about choosing live edge or epoxy.
It’s about choosing the design language that speaks to you and creating something that will still speak to others in fifty years. Discover how LMNTL brings these ideas to life through “our custom furniture and game table designs.”