The Story of the Wood
When a tree falls, most people simply see a mess needing to be cleaned: branches to be removed and chipped, a trunk to cut down into manageable pieces, and leaves to be gathered.
Marc Gagnon takes a completely different view. The owner of Fallen Oak Furniture uses locally salvaged wood to form one-of-a-kind pieces of functional art.
“I reuse and upcycle as much as possible,” says Marc. “It’s not only environmentally friendly, but it can be a more intimate process as well.”
The woodworker and the homeowner can become partners in the project, as a fallen walnut tree from someone’s yard is transformed into an outdoor table, for example. Marc says it adds to the emotional connection you have with your furniture.
“It’s not just some factory-manufactured panels,” says Marc. “Especially when you know the history of the tree, it adds feeling to the story of where your table, serving trays or other pieces came from.”
From ash charcuterie boards to beech tables, Marc puts an emphasis on live edge items to give them a multi-dimensional appeal. Each salvaged wood piece differs from the other – even among trees of the same species.
“No two trees grow in the exact same way,” says Marc. “So, you’ll never get two of my pieces looking the exact same. They’ll have different knots, grains and tones. It helps keep your cottage décor looking fresh and interesting.”
Marc will also take custom designs and make them a reality. Although some items may require him to source exotic woods such as teak or mahogany, his preference is always locally sourced woods which have fallen naturally.
“If you can think it up, we can put it on paper and create the piece,” says Marc. “Homegrown trees such as walnut and maple have amazing tones and tremendous grains to work with.”
About Marc
Marc is a graduate of George Brown College who has always had an affinity for nature, the outdoors and working with his hands to create something that sparks joy. Marc is a true environmentalist, with a passion for using fallen wood to create art that become family treasures.
Marc is part of a large, extended family and has learned that meals are often a time when family stories develop and are told and retold over generations. Well loved and well used tables and serving pieces, are a cherished part of the story “Remember the night we sat around the table for hours with your Grandad and Aunt Sue sitting right where you are now, playing cards and telling stories” That history and passion what Marc brings to his craft.
Marc is a 24-year-old student at George Brown College. he took the opportunity to follow his passion and Fallen Oak Furniture was born! He specializes in creating unique pieces that are entirely individual – no two pieces look the same!
Fallen Oak Furniture
Fallen Oak Furniture creates beautiful and unique pieces of functional art – tables, benches, cutting boards, charcuterie boards and so much more. With a strong environmental focus the owner of Fallen Oak Furniture uses locally salvaged wood to form one-of-a-kind pieces treasured by corporate and personal clients alike. Often clients have pieces at the cottage and at home or the office – for example executive desks and dining even boardroom tables – bring a taste of nature to the city.