The pool table is showcases the woodworkers’ ability to move between high design, advanced digital modelling, precise machining and refined hand finishing.

Talk of a conversation starter and you’ll find one in the Minneapolis (US) showroom of Designed & Made: a striking new centrepiece, a custom-made pool table that fuses bold sculptural form with meticulous craftsmanship.

Conceived as a “passion project”, the table is both a functional object and a design manifesto, showcasing the company’s ability to move seamlessly between high-touch design, advanced digital modelling, precise machining and refined hand-finishing.

The pool table’s design began with a hand sketch inspired by a vintage table from the early 1900s. Developed in-house through 3-D modelling and iterative prototyping, the piece pushes the limits of material and form while maintaining balance and proportion.

Crafted with hand-selected mahogany veneer chosen for tonal consistency and depth of grain, the sculptural geometry is elevated with intricate ivory inlays executed with jeweller-like precision.

The finishing process, involving eight hand-rubbed coats of a custom tung oil, turpentine and yacht varnish blend, creates a luminous surface that enhances warmth and richness.

Integrated processes

Owner Brian Grabski describes the project as a conversation starter and a showcase of ambition. “We wanted to demonstrate what’s possible when design, technology and craftsmanship align,” he said. “It reflects the kind of work we’d love to explore further: design-driven, highly detailed, and unapologetically ambitious.”

Every aspect of the table was handled in-house, from design development and CNC machining to veneering, inlay and finishing. The collaborative process, led by Grabski illustrates the company’s belief that complex projects are greater than the sum of individual contributions.

Founded by Grabski in 2005, Designed & Made specializes in high-end residential cabinetry, architectural woodwork, and original design commissions. Its integrated process combines digital precision with traditional craft, ensuring complete creative ownership from concept through fabrication and installation.

Grabski’s shop remains intentionally small, with a team of 10 artisans working in an 8,000-square-foot facility, allowing for both nimbleness and uncompromising attention to detail.

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