Abalone Serving Board

Black walnut is one of North America's most prized hardwoods — dense, fine-grained, and with a warmth that deepens over years of use. This serving board was cut from a single heartwood plank, and the natural edge was preserved along one side to keep the sense of the original tree.

A natural fissure ran through the centre of the board, which became an opportunity rather than a flaw. Crushed abalone shell was set into the crack with food-safe resin, creating a river of iridescent blue-green that catches the light at every angle. The shells were hand-collected from the Mendocino coast and ground to varying grades — coarse pieces for texture, fine dust for the shimmer.

The finish is a simple blend of food-grade mineral oil and beeswax, reapplied seasonally. It's a board meant to be used — for cheese, bread, charcuterie — and to age gracefully alongside the meals shared over it.