From My Workshop to Jay’s Clients: The Story of My Latest Walnut Bookmatch Boards

There’s something magical about a fresh piece of walnut. The deep chocolate tones, the subtle chatoyance when light hits it just right — it’s like the wood is alive and telling its own story. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the absolute joy of working on a new series of cutting and serving boards, all made from bookmatched walnut.

For those not familiar, bookmatching is when you take two adjoining slices from the same board, open them like a book, and join them together so the grain patterns mirror each other. The result? A symmetrical design that looks almost like butterfly wings, ripples in water, or an inkblot you could stare at for hours. Each board ends up being one-of-a-kind — and that’s the thrill for me.

But here’s where this batch became even more fun. I decided to add rubber feet to each board — a simple touch, but one that keeps the board steady on a counter, adds durability, and lifts it just enough so the design and finish stand out like a display piece. It’s a small upgrade, but one of those skills and techniques you learn as you go… and then wonder why you didn’t start doing it years ago.

The best part? My friend and neighbor Jay, who’s in real estate, saw them and immediately said, “I need those.” Turns out, he was looking for a unique, high-quality gift to give clients at their settlement closings. We both agreed that a handcrafted walnut board beats a generic gift card any day. It’s personal, useful, and — let’s be honest — a lot more Instagram-worthy.

So now, Jay’s clients are walking away from the closing table with a piece of my workshop in their hands — a piece that will (hopefully) be in their kitchens for decades. Every time they chop an onion or lay out a cheese spread, they’ll have a little reminder of the home-buying milestone… and maybe, just maybe, the neighborly spirit behind it.

It’s moments like these that remind me why I love woodworking. The smell of walnut dust in the air, the feel of a freshly sanded board, the learning curve of new techniques, and the joy of seeing something I made find its perfect home.

If you’re ever looking for a unique gift — for a client, a friend, or just yourself — you know where to find me. My basement workshop is always turning out something new, and I promise, every piece will have a story of its own.