The Process: From Past Life to Timeless Piece

Each Covessence item begins with wood that has already lived a full life. We honour its story - and ensure it’s ready for a long future in your home. Here’s how.

Sourcing the Wood

We source our wood from decommissioned buildings with rich pasts - old Tennessee barns, disused French rail depots, and Victorian schools in Yorkshire to name a few. These aren’t scrap piles. They’re carefully selected sites with structurally sound, slow-grown hardwoods like oak, ash, maple, and elm.

We work closely with a network of local salvage teams and architectural reclamation yards, who alert us when heritage buildings are being dismantled. When a potential site comes up, we assess the wood on location; checking species, age, moisture content, and condition. Only the most structurally sound and visually interesting boards are selected.

Preparing the Timber

Before any building begins, each plank is de-nailed by hand, then kiln-dried to remove moisture and prevent future movement. The wood is then planed and flattened to reveal its grain and natural markings.

Where needed, small structural imperfections are reinforced using traditional joinery techniques. We never fill or cover what’s genuine - if a bolt mark or weather-darkened patch is visible, it’s because it belongs there.

Building by Hand

Florentin and his small team craft each piece from start to finish using time-honoured woodworking methods. Mortise and tenon joints, dowels, and dovetails - no flat-pack shortcuts, that's not craftsmanship.

Surfaces are hand-sanded, edges softened, and finishes applied in multiple coats for protection without plastic-like sheen. Each item is then quality-checked and prepped for safe delivery.

Built to Last, Built to Matter

Old wood has already stood the test of time. It’s denser, drier, and more stable than most fresh timber, making it ideal for heirloom-quality furniture.

We treat each plank as a one-off. No two pieces are ever the same, and we believe the slight irregularities in colour, grain, or patina are not flaws - they’re what make your piece a Covessence original.

Please note: The piece in this image was a best-seller and is now out of stock.

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