Refined Elements LLC — Local services in Dripping Springs

Words cannot fully express how impressed and grateful we are with Devin Ginther and Refined Elements! We were in the process of building our home and needed a large dining table and coffee table. After shopping around, we couldn’t quite find the exact pieces we were looking for—all from a size, quality, and aesthetic perspective. Searching online, we came across Refined Elements and contacted Devin. Not only did Devin have a nice inventory of black walnut slabs, but he also possessed the knowledge, skills, and finesse to create two gorgeous pieces of furniture for us. The moment we met Devin to discuss what we were looking for, we knew right then and there he was the right person. We presented him with the inspiration behind the base for the dining table and the coffee table. Devin was personally involved along every step of the way and engaged us to ensure that not one small detail was overlooked. He even provided us with a CAD rendering of the coffee table to validate the proportionality.

The black walnut slabs we selected have so much character in them—something that cannot be replicated in many of those faux live edge dining tables you see stores carrying these days. These came from a standing dead walnut tree that they salvaged in Oklahoma. Devin was able to bring these pieces back to life in the form of our dining table. The coffee table was just as stunning, the perfect statement piece to center our living room around. When Devin delivered the pieces to us, we even noticed how he had already thought about the positioning of the pieces, which side should be facing which direction to highlight the piece’s best angle in a room. He even educated us on the usage of bow ties and how it’s not just cosmetic, but more so serves a purpose in stabilizing the wood.

These pieces are truly works of art—it never grows old looking at them and each time you seem to pick up on another unique trait you hadn’t noticed before. Our family will definitely cherish these pieces for many years to come. Urban wood is the way to go and Devin Ginther is the man to make your vision a reality! We are still in awe at how one person can combine quality, value, functionality, and aesthetics by breathing life into pieces that are not just looked at, but also used on a daily basis. Devin is now working on a third piece for us, a credenza for our study, and we can’t wait to see how beautiful it...

Refined Elements worked with us to build exactly the table we were looking for. Devin spent a lot of time answering our questions over email as well as letting us swing by his shop for a tour. We got to pick out which slabs we wanted to use and Refined Elements turned them into a work of art. These guys really know how to bring out the best in the wood and highlight all of the natural features. The table we purchased is beautiful - my wife and I couldn't be happier.

The quality of the build is also outstanding. The table top is reinforced to prevent movement over time. The legs, which Refined Elements can also custom order/manufacture, are fastened to the table top with 12 thick bolts - the legs on our table are cast iron dipped in molten bronze. The table top is fitted with female threaded receivers for the bolts to make assembly/disassembly a breeze (Or as easy as can be for a 300+ pound table). This table is going to be a part of our house for a very long time - for generations most likely.

Since we live close by Devin and another employee delivered the table to our house in their truck. The table is far too large to make it up the corner of our stairs so I had to hire a crane to bring it in the french doors on our second floor balcony. Devin not only delivered the table but helped me work with the crane operator to get the table lifted up and into my house which was no small task. All of this in the sleet and freezing rain - the guys at Refined Elements really go the extra mile to make sure everything is perfect for their customers.

Previous to working with Refined Elements we purchased a live edge table from a big chain store and it was delivered with flimsy hollow legs that were just screwed into the table top - no pilot holes or anything provided! It was a single slab - but the wood on the underside was heavily damaged by termites. It was a mess. The build quality you get from Refined Elements is so much better than any chain store...

I found Devin through an online search for live edge slabs that led me to some woodworking forums that recommended him. After looking through his website, Facebook page and then speaking to Devin it was a pretty easy decision to move forward with Refined Elements. The extreme attention to detail, his commitment to quality, the use of old school mortise and tenon joinery, and the nearly automotive grade finishing process really blows away anything you will find in a store even at higher price points. I also like that we got to pick our own slab and species of wood and totally custom design every aspect of the table.

In the era of Ikea and disposable MDF furniture it is nice to know there are still some real craftsmen left that really care about making something that will last for generations

Thanks Devin and Ray from Refined Elements - this table will be in our family for...