Osmo provides the finishing touch to family heirloom in the making
Based in Staffordshire, Mortimer’s Workshop specialises in providing a range of handcrafted durable and unique products from sustainably sourced oak, all finished to the highest possible standards.
One recent commission was for an 8-seater resin river table that will be the centrepiece of the family dining room and can be passed down to future generations.
Crafted from British grown waney edge oak, it features an epoxy resin river between the two slabs of wood, combining both natural, untouched oak with a modern design element. The table was finished in satin Osmo TopOil.
Jordan Peters, who runs Mortimer’s Workshop, has been using Osmo for some years and continues to be impressed with the results it offers. “After using Osmo Polyx-Oil a few years ago I was sold completely. The way Osmo finishes my products is second to none. The first couple of layers seem to seep into the oak and then when I start building up the layers I am able to achieve a very hard wearing and natural finish, leaving behind a slight shine. It’s perfect for my work.”
This piece required four layers of TopOil, each applied thinly in circular motions using a cotton cloth. The other side of the cloth was then used to remove any excess. Jordan completed the look by pulling the cloth along the piece with the grain, to leave a very natural finish. The piece was left to dry for 12-24 hours at room temperature and the whole process was repeated until an even finish was achieved.
Key to the success of this process is temperature, something that is particularly challenging when working with resin. If resin is stored in the cold it can crystallise, whereas if too much heat is applied when pouring resin the reaction can happen too fast. Similarly, when using Osmo oil, maintaining room temperature is key.
The whole project took around two months, but the result is a unique piece of furniture that will be used for generations to come.
For Jordan, Osmo will continue to be a key part of his future projects: “I am always pleased with Osmo’s results – I have now been using it every day for three years. I also produce live edge chopping boards and resin and oak chopping boards, I am at ease with Osmo to know that the TopOil is natural and a food-safe product. I love Osmo oil and happily suggest it to customers who ask me on a weekly basis what I use.”
