TYLER RAYL

Hello,

I'm Tyler and the owner, designer, and builder for Xylem Wood Design. I became fascinated in wood during my years at university as a relief from studying laws and theories developed by man to explain the natural world. My first project originated from a stubbornness to waste perfectly good branches I trimmed from cedar trees on our property. The chair I constructed utilizes every imperfection (curve, knot, color) to enhance its function as well as form. Each piece was specifically selected for its natural characteristics. To me this is what makes working with wood so interesting and challenging. God has created each fiber and each tree differently; finding the best use from each piece is the challenge that mass produced goods will never be able to overcome.

From that first project I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Now I have a shop and the opportunity to sculpt beautiful trees that once towered into objects that are functional and aesthetically pleasing. The wood slabs give a glimpse of the tree's life; each hardship and year is written into the grain. As with people and good wine, the wood obtains more character and depth as it ages.