In an age of planned obsolescence, there’s something deeply satisfying about defying the norm during the gift-giving season by choosing presents that are thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted, and made to last. Those qualities often define products made of American Hardwoods™—oak, cherry, walnut, maple, ash, and other prized species—especially when they’re handcrafted in American workshops. Here are six pieces that fit that description perfectly, making wonderfully substantial gifts for the holidays—or any time of the year.
Hand-turned in Gill, Massachusetts, this harvest bowl is fashioned from salvaged cherry logs, a gorgeous heirloom piece that reflects New England’s woodworking traditions of utility, sustainability, and durability. The food-safe oil finish lets the wood’s natural beauty—which will only deepen with time—shine through, while the classic shape, with its built-in handles, is as agelessly elegant as it is eminently practical.
Cherry Harvest Wooden Bowl with Handles
Despite its six-foot length and generous drawer count, the Caravan double dresser stands light on its well-turned ankles. Seamlessly integrated drawer pulls introduce just the right amount of visual interest while preserving the piece’s refined simplicity, grounded in solid white-oak construction. Hand rubbing with an organic oil/wax finish brings out the wood’s distinctive grain and color, giving the dresser a healthful glow.
Caravan Double Dresser in White Oak
With its slender walnut frame and neck, the Sophia mirror might at first glance seem made to be held in the hand. Crafted in Pennsylvania, this fine-boned looking glass is larger than it appears—either 29 or 42¾ inches tall—and meant to hang on the wall. The smaller size is ideal above a vanity or dressing table, while the larger suits a powder room or entry hall.
Sophia Mirror in Walnut
Taking inspiration from hand-carved African stools, the Dish side table features a scooped-out top created with a little help from a CNC router. Made in the Pacific Northwest from solid ash, this delightfully sculptural piece is available in custom sizes and in a choice of black-stain or—shown here—clear-oil finishes. It’s sturdy enough to do double duty as a stool when an extra seat is needed.
Dish Side Table in Natural Ash
Handmade in Los Angeles, the Headlands lounge chair by designers Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning marries clean lines and deep comfort in a handsomely restrained form. The blonde oak–frame option, shown here, lends the midcentury-inflected design a breezy, Scandinavian ease, while the darker tone of the walnut version evokes clubby urban sophistication. Either way, it’s a classic that will never go out of style.
Headlands Lounge Chair in Oiled Oak
Want to pamper your pooch? The Lapilo dog bed is a splendid indulgence that truly says, “You’re my best friend.” The solid walnut frame is topped by a cushion with a removable cover available in a range of fabrics, so the ottoman-like piece can coordinate with any décor. It even includes a soft-close drawer for storing your pet’s essentials out of sight.
Lapilo Dog Bed in Walnut