A few weeks ago I attended a furniture show by our cabinet maker Eastvold Custom Woodworks. The show had an incredible collection of mostly modern crafted furniture on display as art.

In the mix of items was a dining table that appeared to be the perfect match for our breakfast bar. The 8-foot-long reclaimed Douglas Fir table was an eye-catcher, to say the least. Not only was the wood stunning, but it featured a wonderful unique design: three interlocking L-shaped forms that created the legs and top of the table.

The wood was highly refined but did not have a finish coating. Stacy and I asked about the table and were told that it was sold to a woman in New York City.

About a week after the show, owner Matt Eastvold called me. They had a few remaining pieces, and one was the table. The woman had decided not to buy it.

After measuring our dining room to ensure that the table would fit, both physically and visually, we decided to buy it. I made arrangements to have it finished to match our breakfast bar and delivered in three weeks.

The table, which costs more than a typical factory-built table, arrived in three large sections and was set in place in our dining room. Stacy and I agreed that it looked like it was made for the space. I contacted Eastvold and asked him to dig up information on the origin of the wood. I love to know where the wood came from, maybe an old school or an aircraft hanger, and then try to find old photos and information about the building online. I guess that makes me a bit of a history nerd, but a history nerd with a really cool table.

To learn more about Jason's new house and to see photos and previous blog posts, go to www.startribune.com/newhouse. Or e-mail him at hammond@mojosolo.com.