Over the past few weeks I have been going back and forth over my dilemma for Table 1; should I use a $470 slab of willow which perfectly fits the spirit of my design or go with a $100 slab of dark walnut that works but doesn't quite support my intentions. After going to several urban lumber yards to find an alternative, I found nothing appropriate and finally made a decision. I went with the $470.00 willow slab. I realized that while saving money, I would ultimately be compromise my design. I firmly believe that if something is not done to the best of my ability, then it's not worth doing at all. Also, given that this is my final year in the art school I need to maximize on the vast amount of resources and space available to me, by creating the best work to my capability, because I don't know when these will again be at my disposal. I decided that, although, this is an absurd amount of money for a single piece of wood, I will create a project leaving no regrets or cut corners... and who needs food money anyway!

So, last Thursday I went back to John Hailing's urban lumber yard, bought my willow slab and surfaced it to the proper thickness. Here are some images of material and process.