About Stumptown Reclaimed

I'm John Tamerlano, and Stumptown Reclaimed is my one-man workshop in Portland. I build every custom table by hand using locally salvaged hardwoods. Wood from trees that survived decades of Pacific Northwest storms and seasons. That struggle creates the bold grain, rich color, and character you won't find in ordinary lumber.

I started this in 2013, working out of my basement after stumbling into woodworking almost by accident. I watched some videos online and felt an immediate pull to create. I started with reclaimed fir from old Portland homes, then discovered salvaged walnut. The first time I worked with it, I knew this was what I was meant to build. By 2015, I'd outgrown the basement and moved into my first real shop space.

Over the past decade, I've obsessed over every detail of the process. How to select the boards with the most character. How to join them so the grain flows. How to sand and hand-rub oil finish until the wood glows. I've built hundreds of tables, and each one teaches me something new.

No two tables are ever alike. Every piece is a completely hands-on process, and I form a personal connection with each table as it takes shape. From selecting the wood to the final hand-applied finish, I stay focused on creating something as unique as the salvaged wood itself.

What I love most is seeing the reaction when a finished table finds its home. My goal is to create functional art that feels alive with grain and texture, pieces that make people stop and say "wow" every time they gather around them.

You're welcome to visit my shop at 1216 SE Water Avenue in Portland's SE Industrial District. You'll see raw slabs stacked against the walls, tables in progress, and the tools I use every day. I'm always happy to walk you through the wood, explain the process, and talk about what's possible for your table.

John Tamerlano
Founder & Craftsman