Introduction thread

[Rob Bocik]

Is there one or am I blind ???  The later is likely but I can smell a burl a mile away  :P

[thecfarm]

You just started one.  :D  Welcome to the forum. There is no special place. Just as you titled this thread will get the attention of other FF members. Post on about yourself. Update your profile with just a state  will show where you are from. Helps out with questions and answers later on.

[Roxie]

Welcome!   

[Rob Bocik]

You just started one.  :D  Welcome to the forum. There is no special place. Just as you titled this thread will get the attention of other FF members. Post on about yourself. Update your profile with just a state  will show where you are from. Helps out with questions and answers later on.

Updated!



I spent +/- 23 years in the insurance industry including adjusting both for carriers and against them (against is more fun  ) also performed insurance contracting and environmental remediation services. Did 6 year stint at Chicago Housing and Urban Development. That was a pretty cool gig albeit a hazardous one. Lots of proud accomplishments at HUD. My Co. was instrumental in working with Chicago HUD and directly with Washington DC in the successful restoration over 600 boarded up building throughout the city. Some of them were historic, I think that is where I learned to appreciate true craftsmanship. Some of these buildings were built in the late 1800 and had been boarded up for decades. Like milling a log everyone brought a surprise inside (some not so pleasant) We restored mansions that were 12000+ SF with ball rooms and butlers quarters. I wish I still had pictures of a few of the floors and crown moldings in these places. One of them was herringbone pattern of different exotics with a ebony border  And then a few people embezzled/defrauded Uncle Sam out of 90mil-ish . and the program was shut down.

Fast forwarding 20 years I now live in St Petersburg Florida with my wife Zoe. We own and operate Funktionhouse Urban Lumber and Furnishings. We are a small but growing start up that came from our love of fine furniture that is actually build from wood from America and in America. However, most of our lumber comes from imported trees such as Indian Rosewood (sissoo) yes we have IRW as yard trees here  ;D. we also have camphor, Cuban mahogany, She oak, silky oak, live oak, long leaf pine/heart pine, Blue mahoe, Magolia, Sweetgum, monkey pod, Norfolk Island Pine, Holly, Mango, ERC, Eucalyptus and the list goes on.   

Our mission statement...
FUNKTIONHOUSE Urban Lumber & Furnishings supplies unique and rare slabs, turning stock and lumber, and builds one of a kind, quality home furnishings using urban trees cut down in our own neighborhood. Owners Robert & Zoë Bocik salvage these beautiful trees by working with local arborists, home-owners, and municipalities—having trees that otherwise would have been firewood or landfill delivered to their on-site milling yard. Together, they mill and then render this gorgeous wood for use after drying it in their on-site dehumidifying kiln. Because Rob & Zoë are involved 'hands-on' with every step of the process from tree selection and milling to completed object, their love for wood and passion for the environment is translated into their beautiful and elegant furnishing designs; showcasing the incredible figure and colors of urban lumber, utilizing simple builds and completing each project with natural finishes; letting the wood "speak for itself".

Thats me in a walnut shell  ;D

[Chuck White]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Rob.

[reride82]

Welcome Rob,

Its good to have you here on the Forestry Forum!

Levi

[Leigh Family Farm]

Welcome to the FF!

[Raider Bill]

Welcome neighbor!

[Autocar]

Welcome, nice to hear about someone saving trees from landfills.

[Offthebeatenpath]

Sounds like you have a well thought out and well intentioned niche business Rob.  Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll find a wealth of information and great connections here.

Jed

[Sonofman]

Welcome Rob, it sounds like you will just fit right in.

[swampbuggy]

Welcome to the FF. I'm in Ft. Myers if you need anything! Dan

[Rob Bocik]

MORE rosewood ?

[swampbuggy]

how about Australian Pine..



  


Or a puck of Norfolk Island Pine?



 

[Rob Bocik]

Lots of NIP and AU Pine here. I have 2 acres  of AU pine waiting to get milled now. I milled some NIP last weekend and is all curly inside  smiley_blue_bounce

Got any Bunya Bunya pines down there? I am looking for some pods to cast.

[ND rancher]

Welcome Rob, Good to have you aboard ! :D

[customsawyer]

Welcome to the forum. I think he is going to blend.

[Magicman]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Rob.   

[mesquite buckeye]

Welcome. ;D