A Full Restaurant Project in Dallas, TX

Every now and then, a project comes along that pushes us in the best way possible — creatively, technically, and physically. This restaurant order was one of those projects.

We were reached out to by a restaurant in Dallas, TX that was building a Mexican-inspired dining space. They were looking for a full set of custom furniture: dining tables, benches, and chairs that would help bring an authentic, vibrant, and welcoming atmosphere to their space.

After several conversations about design direction, colors, and inspiration, we said yes to the project — and that’s where the journey began.

Designing the Vision: Bringing Mexico to Dallas

The goal was clear from the start:
We weren’t just building furniture — we were helping create an experience.

The restaurant shared reference photos from their locations in Mexico, and David worked closely to replicate and interpret those designs for chairs, benches, and tables in a way that would fit the new space in Dallas.

From there, the biggest challenge became color and tone.

With the help of David’s parents, we explored what truly represents the feeling of Mexico — warmth, energy, vibrancy, and culture — and translated that into furniture finishes. We experimented with multiple combinations, eventually working through around 9 different colors and layouts before locking in the final direction.

It was a lot of trial and error, but also one of the most creative parts of the entire project.

Creating Texture and Character

Beyond color, we also needed to create the right feel and texture in the wood.

To match the restaurant’s theme, we didn’t want anything too clean or sterile. Instead, we focused on giving each piece subtle character:

• Light edge sanding
• Controlled distressing on each board
• Wire brushing/surface texturing to bring out grain and age

The goal was balance — authentic and warm, but still smooth, safe, and comfortable for daily use.

After multiple tests, we finally landed on a finish style that felt right: inviting, energetic, and full of personality without feeling overwhelming.

Production: Weeks of Cutting, Sanding, and Prepping

Once the design direction was finalized, production began — and it was massive.

For about 3–4 weeks, we focused on cutting and prepping every component:

• Table legs
• Tabletop boards
• Angles and structural pieces
• Bench and chair parts

There were hundreds of individual pieces, and long days of sanding — especially in the summer heat.

For the round tables, we used our CNC machine to cut multiple boards for the circular tops, ensuring precision and consistency across the entire restaurant setup.

Painting: 9 Colors, One Shop, and Constant Workflow

The paint stage was one of the most challenging parts of the entire project.

With 9 different colors in rotation, we had to carefully organize our 2,000 sqft finishing space to avoid delays and contamination between finishes. Every color change required full cleaning and flushing of the spray guns to maintain consistency.

We also had to apply multiple coats per piece, allowing proper curing time between layers to ensure durability and coverage.

This stage alone took about 4–6 weeks from start to finish.

Assembly and Distressing

After everything was painted and cured, we moved into assembly.

This is where everything started to come together — tables, benches, and chairs all taking their final form.

We also added the final layer of character through hand distressing each piece individually. No two boards were exactly the same, but everything still tied together visually as a cohesive set.

There was a lot of back and forth — deciding what felt right, adjusting details, reworking certain pieces — but that’s what made the final result worth it.

 

An Unexpected Addition: Hundreds of Wooden Boards & Trays

Halfway through the project, the restaurant came back with an additional request:
They needed custom wooden boards and serving trays.

We designed and CNC-cut hundreds of them, but the real challenge was the finishing — especially sanding into the grooves and edges. That alone took nearly two weeks of continuous work, and honestly felt endless at times.

After sanding, we moved into painting and clear coating, which took another week and a half of careful layering and sponging to achieve a smooth, durable finish.

Final Result: A Full Restaurant Transformation

By the end of the project, what started as a furniture order had turned into a full-scale transformation.

Tables, benches, chairs, boards, and trays — all designed, built, finished, and delivered as one cohesive experience.

It was our first major restaurant project, and it taught us a lot about:

• Production scale
• Color consistency across large batches
• Workflow efficiency
• And the importance of flexibility in custom commercial work

Looking Ahead

This project was a turning point for us.

It challenged us, stretched our systems, and showed us what’s possible when craftsmanship meets scale. More than anything, it confirmed that we want to do more work like this — building spaces, not just furniture.

We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful to have been part of bringing this restaurant’s vision to life.