Ian Orlikoff’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Exciting Naples Live Edge Wood news! Read the new article in Bold Journey about what’s next…

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ian Orlikoff. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Ian, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
When people walk in to our Naples wood shop they always walk out and say, “Oh, this made my day, or this made me so happy.” It makes me take into account that I do work in a special place doing something really unique and rewarding. For example, recently, a retiree came in and said he would love to work here for free just to be able to enjoy being around all the wood slabs and being creative. I think at the end of the day everybody has a better day when they leave our wood shop and that makes me feel proud to know that that’s the feeling they get from our wood shop.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Since 2016, we’ve been crafting custom live edge wood furniture, including epoxy river tables, desks, floating shelves, countertops & barn doors. Our passion for wood shines through in every custom piece, from epoxy river tables to elegant waterfall bar designs. With our roots in arboriculture, we honor the beauty & integrity of each slab, creating unique, handcrafted pieces for homes & businesses across the USA.

Sustainable Sourcing & Craftsmanship: At Naples Live Edge Wood, we prioritize sustainability by sourcing live edge slabs from Florida and other responsibly managed locations. Each supplier undergoes thorough research and verification to ensure ethical practices.

Ian Orlikoff is an ISA Certified Arborist, bringing a deep understanding of each tree’s history, interpreting growth rings, grain patterns, and unique features to connect the wood’s origin to its new owner.

Honoring Nature’s Legacy: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, our live edge slabs embody a connection to the natural world. Each piece tells a story, allowing you to honor the tree’s life and preserve its legacy for future generations. Live edge slabs are unique pieces of wood that preserve the natural edges. They’re known for their organic shapes and textures, showcasing the wood’s natural beauty, including grain patterns, knots, and imperfections.

A Commitment to the Environment: As a proud partner of #OneTreePlanted, we contribute to reforestation efforts by planting one tree in Florida for every live edge project sold, reinforcing our dedication to environmental stewardship.

Legacy of Expertise: Ian & Stephanie Orlikoff previously owned & operated Signature Tree Care in Naples, FL, from 2002 until 2020. Live Edge Woodworking began in 2016.

We recently purchased & are currently renovating a western North Carolina property for our second Live Edge Wood shop location. We are excited to start working with new clients in NC and look forward to better serving our clients that have homes in both locations. (NC and Fl.)

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was in kindergarten I was in our backyard by our bird house. I remember seeing the parents flying in and out of the bird house and I could hear the young birds chirping. I was so curious about the activity that I felt frustrated I could not see inside the bird house. I walked up to the pole the bird house was on and started shaking it vigorously to see what would happen. Unfortunately, out flew an egg that was just a few days short of hatching and the egg broke open and the baby was gasping for air. I ran into the house and told my mom. She came out, picked up the bird and we laid the bird in a big flower that was on a bush. It made me realize we all have the power and ability to take care of things or to destroy them. I know that was a pivotal moment in my life when I learned to take care and respect nature.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say a few things to my younger self such as don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t be so worried about what other people think. I would say to my younger self “Realize that time really does go by so fast so focus on your relationships and nurture them.”

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project I’m fully committed to — no matter how long it takes — is developing our new commercial wood shop location in Western North Carolina as a second site for our business. My wife and I recently purchased the property, and we envision it evolving into a place where fellow woodworkers come to visit and clients come and learn while selecting their wood slabs. There are many innovations and improvements to bring to life such as specialized workshop spaces and we understand it will take time. We are dedicated to seeing every stage through to completion. Ultimately, we hope this new North Carolina wood shop location becomes a destination that enriches both our local craft community and our clients’ learning journeys.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Developing our second wood shop location in western North Carolina is a project that will take about a year. One long term goal is developing the property into a multi artist workshop for Kindred creators. We will be traveling back-and-forth from Naples, Florida to North Carolina working with new and existing clients in both locations.

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