"For as long as I have been building wood furniture, wood movement has been among the most humbling of realities. In fact, many of my designs are born out of an attempt to make ever-more harmonious collaborations with this natural material.  Far from playing it safe however, I like to push the limits of the designs by pushing the limits of the material.  The apparent simplicity of the work relies on this relationship. The materials unique physical attributes are also used as a way to help point out its natural beauty.  Sometimes the tenacity of the wood species that gives it its strength and character also make it prone to checks if the humidity drops too much.  Some configurations can make this outcome more or less likely, and some environments also can contribute to wood movement.  Rarely, if ever does this "opening" become structural problems, more often they simply express themselves as “cosmetic” seasonal phenomenon that fluctuate with the relative humidity.   As crafts people and artisans, we work very hard to build the most beautiful pieces possible.  We source only the best material.  Our work is not mass produced, we take time with each piece, and we are not afraid to hold work that does not meet our standards.  While we pour ourselves into the pieces when they are in our shop, we do not ultimately have control over the environment to which they will go . . . and the truth is that splits and checks in wood furniture are more complicated than just a failure of craftsmanship." Joshua Vogel