Custom Live Edge Furniture in Monroe, CT
Tougas Timberworks builds custom live edge furniture in Monroe, CT. Eric sources the wood, mills it, kiln dries it, and builds every piece himself. Custom countertops, dining tables, mantels, and shelves for Fairfield County homeowners. Get a quote before you commit.
Built by One Person, Start to Finish
Live edge furniture is not a style. It's a decision to let the wood be what it is, natural edge, natural grain, natural character, while making it useful for how you actually live. A live edge countertop doesn't look like everything else in Fairfield County. That's the point.
Eric Tougas builds custom live edge furniture by hand in his Monroe shop. His specialty is countertops and tables, the pieces where a single slab becomes the centerpiece of a room. You come to the shop, look at slabs in rough-cut form, and find one that feels right based on species, shape, and size. Then Eric writes an estimate based on the actual material and the actual hours your project will take.
Because Eric mills, dries, and builds everything himself, there is no gap in the chain. He knows where every slab came from, how long it dried, and what moisture content it was when it left the kiln. That knowledge is what separates a piece that holds up from one that warps or cracks two years after installation.
What He Builds
- +Live edge dining tables
- +Kitchen countertops and islands, $1,000 to $8,000+ depending on size and scope
- +Bathroom countertops
- +Fireplace mantels
- +Floating shelves
- +Stair treads and beam casings
- +Coffee tables and accent furniture
Process and Terms
- +50% deposit to start, 50% on completion
- +2 to 3 week lead time on most projects
- +Delivery and installation in Fairfield County and throughout Connecticut
- +Come to the shop, look at slabs, approve an estimate before committing
- +Eric doesn't ask for the deposit until he's ready to start your project
Pieces Eric Builds
Countertops
Dining Tables
Fireplace Mantels
Floating Shelves
Stair Treads
Beam Casings
Every Piece Starts in the Kiln
Most custom furniture shops buy pre-dried lumber from a supplier or work with air-dried material and hope for the best. Eric does neither. He mills his own timber, dries it in his own iDry kiln to furniture-grade moisture content of 6 to 8%, and builds from that material.
In Connecticut, where summers run humid and winters run dry, that difference is exactly what determines whether a live edge countertop stays flat five years after installation or starts to move, crack, and gap. Air drying does not get material to true furniture-grade moisture levels. Kiln drying does.
If you're buying a live edge countertop, the most important thing about it is not the species or the shape. It's the moisture content when it left the shop. That's what determines whether it's still flat in two years.
Monroe, CT. Serving Fairfield County and Beyond.
Tougas Timberworks is based in Monroe, CT, and delivers and installs custom live edge furniture throughout Fairfield County, including Westport, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Newtown, Trumbull, Shelton, and the surrounding towns. Eric is available for projects throughout Connecticut and open to delivery beyond state lines for the right scope.
Questions About Custom Live Edge Furniture
What's your lead time for custom furniture?
Most projects run a 2 to 3 week lead time, depending on the size and complexity of the piece. Eric will confirm the timeline when he writes your estimate.
How do payments work?
50% down to start the project, 50% on completion. Eric doesn't ask for the deposit until he's ready to begin your build.
What species can I choose from?
Common species in the shop include black walnut, white oak, hard maple, cherry, and sycamore. Inventory rotates based on what has been milled and dried. The best approach is to come to the shop and look at slabs in rough-cut form, then pick the one that fits your space.
Can you build to custom sizes?
Yes. Every piece is built to order. Eric works from a single slab and fits it to your space, whether that's a kitchen countertop, a dining table, a mantel, or a set of shelves. Bring your dimensions and he'll find material that works.
Do you deliver and install?
Yes. Delivery and installation are available throughout Connecticut, primarily Fairfield County. For larger projects, Eric is open to delivery beyond state lines.
Do you do flooring or cabinetry?
No. Eric keeps his focus on countertops, tables, islands, mantels, shelves, stair treads, and beam casings. He doesn't take on flooring or cabinetry. If your project falls outside that scope, he'll tell you straight and point you in the right direction.
How much does a live edge countertop cost?
Countertops generally run $1,000 to $8,000 depending on size and scope. Pricing depends primarily on the material and the hours the project takes. Eric writes a detailed estimate so there are no surprises.
Our Services
Areas We Serve
Ready to Choose Your Slab?
The best first step is coming to the shop. Look at the material in person, find a slab that fits your space, and let Eric write you a straight estimate. No commitment until you approve the number.