Allison Samuels, founder of Two Tree Studios woodworking and furniture atelier in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, majored in fiber arts before finding her calling in wood. After art school, she traveled up and down the East Coast and in her wanders decided that cabinetry and wood carving would be her future. She returned to New York, where she grew up “surrounded by lush forests and rock-filled rivers,” which later inspired her to create “simple, nature-based design, with a strong interest in preserving natural resources,” she says.
Two Tree makes wood cutting boards, kitchen utensils, and shelving, plus experimental and custom cabinetry and furniture. We’re fond of her small objects, which are carved and sanded by hand and finished with eco-friendly, food-safe waxes and oils (bonus points: Two Tree’s cutting boards and utensils are stocked, so they’ll ship within two to four business days).
Photography courtesy of Two Tree Studios.
Above: The Big Wilson board is made of solid walnut with a long, integrated handle, and an arced bottom edge. It’s 21 inches long, 9 inches wide, and 0.75-inch thick; $230. Two Tree has made a commitment to environmental sustainability, which includes “continual research to source the most earth-friendly materials possible.” Above: The Honey board has a rectangular body of solid maple wood with slightly rounded corners and a four-inch handle with hanging hole. It’s 8 inches tall by 6.5 inches wide and 0.75-inch thick; $75. To keep the wood in top condition, Two Tree recommends storing your cutting board with airflow on all sides (standing up on the countertop or hanging from the hole provided). Above: Solare is made of solid walnut with a slightly curved rectangular body and an integrated hole for hanging. It’s 10 inches tall by 8 inches wide and 0.75-inch thick; $75. In the FAQ section of the company’s website, Two Tree poses the question: “Will my board look just like the picture?” The answer: “Nope, it won’t! That’s the beauty of working with a natural material.” Each piece of lumber has its own color and grain pattern, and the hand-carving process ensures that each product is unique. Above: The hand-carved Spatula has a shallow bowl and a long, thin handle, which is “mostly straight, with expected wonky bits,” Allison says. Different woods and sizes are available; the handle on these walnut versions is about 16 inches long with a spatula head about 4 to 5 inches long and 3 inches wide; $80. Above: The Long-Stemmed Double Teaspoon is perfect as a kitchen tasting spoon, to sample soups and sauces before adjusting to taste. The handle is about 16 inches to 18 inches long, with a spoon (roughly teaspoon-sized) at each end. It’s finished with walnut oil to withstand high-heat cooking; $80. Above: The Shelf & Brackets set comes in walnut or whitened ash wood, with brass screws and the appropriate drive bit included for easy mounting. Both the brackets and shelf are made by hand with beveled edges on all edges (save for the mounting face) and finished with a mix of oil and wax. The shelf is 30 inches long and 8 inches deep; it’s currently on sale for $140 (down from $160). Above: The Shelf & Brackets set in cerused (whitened) ash wood. For more objects and projects in wood across our sites, see:
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