About Us — Riveape

Riveape makes solid-wood furniture for everyday life. The promise is simple: good in the hand, steady in the home. Tops sit flat, edges feel kind, frames stay true, and joints meet cleanly. If a closer look helps, Riveape can send finish samples or arrange a viewing, because real wood tells its story better than any photo.

Business Model — Direct from the Workshop

Riveape designs, builds, and ships directly from the workshop to the customer. There are no middlemen, which keeps lead times honest, quality consistent, and pricing fair. Work runs in small batches so each piece gets attention from start to finish. Custom work is limited to protect schedules, and builder-led support means answers are fast and practical. Primary workshop and showroom dispatch: 2401 Curtis Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90278.

Materials & Sustainability

Riveape uses kiln-dried hardwoods to limit movement from heat, cold, and humidity. Common species include oak, walnut, maple, ash, and cherry. Boards are chosen for strength and calm grain, then arranged so color and figure flow across the top. Bases may be solid wood for warmth or powder-coated steel from small U.S. fabricators for a slim, modern look. Finishes are low-odor and indoor-safe: a plant-based oil for a matte, natural feel that can be refreshed, or a water-borne clear coat for extra daily protection while keeping the wood’s tone. Typical U.S. sources include Baillie Lumber, Baird Brothers, and Northwest Hardwoods; metal and hardware often come via McMaster-Carr, with precision cutting by partners such as SendCutSend. Offcuts become jigs, packing blocks, or small goods so waste stays low and packing stays right-sized.

Products & Lead Times

Riveape focuses on daily-use pieces—dining tables, coffee and side tables, console tables, and work desks with tidy cable pass-throughs. Sizes are practical for real rooms, not staged sets. Ready-to-ship pieces usually leave in 1–2 business days. Made-to-order builds typically ship in 3–5 weeks, depending on design and finish. Monthly output stays steady at about 20–40 pieces, which keeps timelines realistic and quality consistent. If a firm date matters, Riveape will state what is ready now and what can be built on time.

Engineering & Construction

Each top is matched from boards that belong together and bonded for strength and a calm look. High-stress spots—leg joints, long spans, and corners—receive extra support so the piece stays solid for years. Threaded inserts and machine bolts seat cleanly in the wood, so assembly and re-assembly do not loosen the joinery. Leveling feet help the table stand steady on uneven floors. If extra knee room, wheelchair clearance, or softer family-friendly edges are needed, Riveape adjusts the design to fit.

How Riveape Builds — From Wood to Finished Piece

Acclimation. Lumber is tagged with source details and rested to match the shop climate so later steps behave.
Layout. Boards are moved until color and grain feel calm, then marked; a quick photo records the arrangement so the same flow appears on the finished top.
Milling & Joinery. Parts are cut to size; biscuits or dominoes keep edges aligned; clamping cauls hold glue-ups flat. Threaded inserts are set so hardware starts cleanly and can be tightened again over time.
Dry Fit. Top and base meet; steadiness is checked; chair and knee clearances are confirmed; small adjustments are made here.
Edge & Surface Work. Edges are eased by hand so sleeves do not snag and elbows rest comfortably; tight knots are smoothed to keep character without catching; surfaces are sanded in gentle steps until the touch feels even.
Finishing. The chosen finish is applied—oil for a warm matte feel that can be renewed, or clear coat for extra day-to-day protection. Pieces cure fully so the surface is truly ready.
Final QC. A natural-light inspection confirms a flat top, balanced base, clean threads, and an even finish. Order notes record wood, finish, edge profile, and options such as cable holes or a matching bench.
Packing. Packing receives the same care with foam wrap, corner guards, a labeled hardware kit, the right driver bit, and clear setup steps so arrival and assembly are straightforward.

Custom Orders

Riveape welcomes room size, seating needs, chair models, and preferences like cable pass-throughs or rounder corners. Simple sketches confirm size, leg placement, and clearances. After that, Riveape locks in wood, finish, edge shape, any stain match, desk cable holes, and a companion bench. **A limited number of custom slots—usually 4–8 per month—**keeps schedules reliable. When a match to an existing piece is needed, natural-light photos help Riveape guide the closest wood and finish.

Packing & Delivery

Tops and bases are wrapped with foam and corner guards. A labeled hardware kit and the proper driver are included. Many U.S. orders ship with parcel carriers and include tracking. Larger tables may travel on a pallet for safer handling. In major metro areas, Riveape can suggest room-of-choice delivery partners when stairs or tight spaces are involved. If a move is planned later, Riveape can share updated packing guidance so the piece travels safely again.

Simple Care

Spills are best wiped promptly. Coasters and trivets protect from heat and moisture. Dusting with a soft cloth keeps the surface even. Strong sun and high humidity can speed up color change; a bit of shade and steady air help. Oil-finished surfaces can be refreshed about once a year with a simple kit from Riveape. Clear-coated surfaces respond well to a gentle cleaner—harsh chemicals are not needed. Leveling feet can be re-set after moving. Real wood will mellow with light and time—this slow shift is natural and part of its charm.