benches \ coffee tables \ dining tables

The Mermaid Bench series is one of TDS’ signature furniture lines and are made from selected reclaimed drift wood and specially formulated concrete. The wood is always sourced from the water – there is life and a story to every piece. They end up looking like animals/beings –  half water / half land – which is what made Teasdale think of mermaids, hence the name. The mermaid benches are classified and named by the type of wood they are made of, or the sourcing stories associated with them. Works in progress include dining tables and console tables.

JAN’S BENCH

101’’ x 18’’ x 24’’.

Jan’s bench was originally sourced on Constitution Island, which is part of West Point. Teasdale had previously scouted, so he knew there were some nice old logs around those parts. Paddling up close on a large canoe, equipped with his chainsaw, Teasdale harvested the wood from under the view of a beautiful golden eagle nest, perched in the trees overhead. The birds watched him work as he cut the wood, lugged it onto his canoe and paddled back across the river. This particular piece had over 200 hours of work on it as wood has to season one, sometimes two years before it is then cut down and shaped as desired. Once milled, then the concrete is molded. Jan’s bench has a lot of little details, like the back rest. It ended up with a collector in South Florida.

BLACK LOCUST

65’’ x 12’’ x 17’’.

This log used for this piece was hauled out from under the water, on Teasdale’s back, at a beautiful point of the Hudson River. Black locust gets harder with age and is incredibly resistant to rot and decay. Due to its nature, some of the old stumps may have been seasoning out there for over 100 years. With so much character and so many shapes crafted by time and the elements, they really are gnarly and interesting pieces of wood to work with. It is certainly the most dense wood, and the hardest to cut – when processing it, the blades go really quick. This bench currently resides with a collector in Boston.

MOUNTAIN ASH

84’’ x 18’’ x 18’’.

All the Mountain Ash mermaid benches are made up of half sections of one huge old ash stump that Teasdale found at Manitou point on the Hudson. He hauled this one out himself and cracked a rib while flipping the log up into his truck in the process – it probably weighed about 300 pounds! Teasdale really loves working with these old stumps & giving voice to these old trees. The nature of the wood itself determines the direction and scope of the piece. As an artist he finds it refreshing to listen and reveal what's already there, rather than imposing his will upon the process.

Mountain ash twins (a)

36’’ x 66’’ x 18’’.

Mountain Ash Twins A & B are both crafted from a old Ash Stump sourced from a remote point on the Hudson River. It was so huge that hauling it out required a whole team effort. Bench A features a large root, which angles off the main body of the stump. Teasdale mirrors this unique feature in the equally angled concrete. This piece was intentionally designed to set into a corner – or to stand on its own –  indoors, or out. 

BLUE SPRUCE

118’’ x 10’’ x 17’’.

Teasdale crafted this 10 ft. long beauty from a rare Blue Spruce log he sourced from a remote point on the Hudson River. The rich grains and texture of the Blue Spruce are accentuated by the forms and feeling created from how Teasdale expertly lays his concrete. This piece is part of a private collection in the Hudson Valley. 

Mountain ash twins (b)

52’’ x 13’’ x 19.25’’.

Mountain Ash Twins A & B are both crafted from a old Ash Stump sourced from a remote point on the Hudson River. It was so huge that hauling it out required a whole team effort. Bench B is beautiful and elegant in its simplicity: a seamless integration of concrete and wood, it features an unique inlay of concrete at the heart of the stump. It was designed for indoor, or outdoor use. 

BLACK LOCUST CONSOLE

96” x 32” x 12”

Stacey’s Bench

78’’ x 16’’ x 18’’.

Crafted from a gigantic Ash Stump hauled out of the Hudson, this piece came to life literally through blood, sweat and tears: while flipping the log into his truck, Teasdale cracked a rib in the process. However, the final result was, “well worth it,” he said. The perfection of age, weathering and coloration of this wood is remarkable. By paying homage to the beautiful lines of the wood through the subtle beveling and angling of the concrete work, the integration of each material is seamless. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the piece also forms part of a private collection in the Hudson Valley. 

Grand Teton Console

101” x 31” x 14”

MERMAID PRINCESS COFFEE TABLE

MAPLE

16’’ x 19.5’’ x 56’’. Sourced from a beautiful old maple log, this piece highlights the gorgeous nature curls of the maple grain and its golden hue. The voids and lines of the wood are seamlessly joined with concrete, creating a stunning work of art for the living room.

sycamore

16’’ x 21’’ x 58’’. Crafted lovingly from an old storm-fallen Sycamore tree, this piece highlights the perfect balance of wood and concrete with 3 butterfly joints – a nod to the mentorship from Teasdale’s elders. It is a perfect heirloom piece for the home.