Why Choose Unique Mesquite?

There are many good reasons to select our furniture over products you find in traditional furniture stores or outlets, or even from another custom shop. Many of those reasons are listed elsewhere on our website.

More to the point, when you take the time to work with a designer and craftsman who is focused on your needs, the styling and individual touches that develop from this relationship will result in items that “fit” you and your lifestyle. They complement your home and office and offer you peace of mind that you will treasure for a lifetime.

Common Questions

How long will it take to receive my article of furniture?
Because we have been blessed with many great customers, and also because of the careful, slow processes we use, lead-time to delivery can be anywhere from 60 to 180 days. Obviously we want to get your piece to you as soon as possible, and we make it a point to notify you if we believe it will take over 90 days to deliver your furniture. In the case of special requests or complex designs, it will take us longer to deliver. But our products are worth waiting for.

Why does mesquite sometimes cost more than other furniture woods?
As we have stated elsewhere on our site, genuine burl mesquite is hard to find. In the wild, mesquite does not grow rapidly even with adequate rainfall. If a customer requests a particular characteristic, it may take months to locate precisely the right tree to provide that characteristic. 

The amount of time spent on the design of a piece and the intricacies involved in the creation of the design will play a part in determining the cost. If you have 8 different touch points that need custom engraving, obviously it will take a little more time to develop that piece than it would a plain unadorned article. In that case, it's not the wood, but the quality and amount of labor involved that contribute to the price.

Again, we use extremely old, rare burl. It is seldom easy to work with, and book matching pieces, looking for a particular shape or design within the grain, or simply trying to find the ONE piece that we know will make you sit and stare all night---it all takes time, our most precious commodity.

How much is shipping?
Shipping costs will depend on the dimensions and weight of the item being shipped. We always look for the safest and fastest way to ship your product to you. All furniture is shipped insured for retail value and we highlight your freight charges on your final invoice. We can estimate shipping costs once you have placed your order, but until a piece is complete, we don't know the exact weight, so any estimate is just an estimate.

Payment Terms: Normally 50% down and the balance at completion. In the case of extremely large or complicated projects, a 25% payment at the midpoint of the project is customary.

Construction Definitions

Joint. A place or part at which two or more things are joined.
Dovetail joint. This is the traditional fine furniture drawer joint. It is the strongest non-mechanical joint and has been used for centuries. This joint can also be used for making boxes and other items where structural strength is critical. It is also tedious and time consuming and therefore expensive.
Tenon. A projection on the end of a piece of wood shaped for insertion into a mortise to make a joint.
Mortis. A mortise is a "slot" cut into a piece of wood to receive a matching tenon. This is used in joining aprons to legs as well as making headboards, etc.
Dado. A groove cut into a piece of wood away from any edge. It is used for various purposes including the making of joints.
Rabbet. A groove cut into the edge of a piece of wood for many purposes. This is what is in the back of a picture frame that allows it to hold the glass and other items. It can be used for many other things including joints.