We Covered All the Details, and All the Walls Too for This Unique Project

The Vision for Milk Money

We were approached by two entrepreneurs from Florida with a project to outfit their new restaurant and bar with our wood. They knew they wanted wood but weren’t sure exactly what kind they wanted or what would be the best choice for their deign intent and application.

After talking with them extensively, considering their budget and design interests, we started the sampling process. We offered different types of oak cladding, and presented them with our ThinClad paneling, which offered a lightweight, yet sturdy solid cladding option at a great price point for their budget.

Ray Pettengell, the sales representative who worked closely with the Milk Money team, explained how “Anthology Woods created an all-in-one solution for the wood design elements of the project. Initially the team inquired about wall cladding and ceiling slats, but when they found out we could work with them to design and fabricate their bar counter and table tops, they were very excited.”

We found the perfect product for them that was made specifically for their project, which ended up expanding to include many more custom wood elements that we fabricated. We went with our ThinClad Left Coast White Oak for the wall paneling, and fabricated custom table tops, a 90-foot bar top and ceiling slats made from the same material.

We knew that this material would work for all of these diverse applications, while still uniting the design and creating a cohesive feel within the space.

Designing and Fabricating the Custom 90-foot Bar Top

With a napkin sketch to guide us, we worked with the Milk Money team to find a design that we could fabricate and then send to Florida to be assembled. The bar was planned to wrap around a large portion of the restaurant, with multiple sections of different lengths. In order to do this, we fabricated the bar in multiple sections that could be assembled and pieced together.

To fabricate the bar, we started by planing down the rough oak lumber, then filled the knots and imperfections with black epoxy, which only brings out the character of the salvaged oak. Then we glued up the boards, making sure they were exact and in-line so the miters would line up—a difficult process with 12 foot lengths of lumber!

Once built, we finished up the bar with a durable commercial finish that sealed extra hard, perfect for a high use bar top. We sent extra finish to the client with a video on how to patch scratches and imperfections. We also routed a path underneath the bar for lengths of LED lights to light up the underside of the bar, creating a warm illuminated effect.

We even built custom shipping crates to safely send the order all the way to Florida, to ensure that the product was properly protected. To help with the assembly, we sent “How-To” videos of our team explaining the process and how to put all of the pieces together. We provided dowels and hardware for joining the bar sections and explained how to seal any seams and corners for perfect mitered edges.

The team at Milk Money were very happy with this process, and found the assembly to be straightforward and clear.

Adding the Table Tops, Cladding & Ceiling Slats

In addition to the ultra-custom bar top, we fabricated over a dozen table tops made from the same salvaged Left Coast White Oak to match the bar. To lower costs, we also used the same material for ceiling slats and wall paneling.

The wall paneling we provided was our unique 3/8” ThinClad paneling, which is thin, lightweight and economical choice, while providing a solid and durable cladding option. The paneling has a tongue and groove profile, making installation straightforward and the final appearance look stunning.

This time the client decided to apply their own finish to the cladding, which reduced costs. There is always an option to purchase unfinished material, though adding any other finish may cause the appearance to change.

During installation, our team was available to help out with any questions the client had about the process. The installation went smoothly, and the end results turned out gorgeous!

Products for Projects

Milk Money Bar and Restaurant is a perfect example of our unique process of creating specific products for each project. “Anthology Woods was able to take Milk Money’s design vision and make it a reality by creating all of the plug n’ play wood components for the project,” says Ray, explaining how we found the right strategy for the client’s needs.

We tailor the products to the design’s specification, and work with you closely to identify the best choice based on price, sustainability and application. We mill our wood to order based on the specific dimensions you need and provide a wide range of finish options that will meet your aesthetics.

If you don’t see what you are looking for on our Products Page, no problem! If you have an inspiration image or general aesthetic, you can send us your design inspiration and we can guide you to the right product. We look forward to working with you on your next project. Feel free to call or email us, or fill out a sample request form if you already have and idea for your project.