“What lives inside the overlooked?”
Dakota Meeks
Founder + Artisan
Metal Fabricator | Woodworker | Story Listener
I am an artisan driven by a single question — what lives inside the overlooked?
The gnarled piece of wood at the bottom of the pile, twisted and knotted where something difficult happened, carries a record that no manufactured material can replicate. Not in spite of what it has been through, but because of it.
Beauty drawn from what was hard, in nature and in life, is the kind that endures.
Those who gravitate toward my pieces often recognize something before their words form — a quality of their own attention reflected back.
That belief is where every piece begins.
THE SHIFT — From Steel & Story to Soul & Space
A Career Rooted in Purpose: Reimagined through Art
After two decades in nonprofit leadership and organizational psychology, I found myself longing for something more tactile, more personal, more deeply my own.
So I pivoted. I picked up a welding torch, learned a new language in steel & sawdust, and started building.
In 2020, I founded Core Elements Studio, a place where design is guided by story, where function meets feeling, and where every piece is made with intention.
I find deeply storied reclaimed wood. And, I meet fascinating people with their own storied histories.
I then forge an intentional bridge between nature’s core elements and beautiful souls by creating functional art that is both deeply reflective of the client and solves a spatial challenge in their home.
Functional Art for the Spaces That Matter Most
I work with reclaimed wood, modern metals, and artistic resin to create one-of-one furniture and statement pieces.
But the true materials?
Your story. Your space. Your sense of home.
Every piece I create is built to solve a need, reflect a soul, and carry a little bit of imperfection — because that’s where the beauty lives.
A Process as Intentional as the Work Itself
At Core Elements Studio, my mission is to build functional art for our personal spaces—pieces that are inspired by nature’s core elements and re-imagined with a creative twist. I draw on the deep resonance of earth, the magic in the moment of fire, the creative flow of water, the meaningful connection of wood, the strength and practice of metal, and the restorative breath of air to infuse every creation with both functional purpose and aesthetic beauty.
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Tuning into Earth and Air
I begin by connecting with your space. During a personal visit, I listen not only to your words but also to the silent cues of your environment—laying a solid foundation as grounded as earth while remaining as open and fluid as air.
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Igniting Fire and Channeling Water
Back in the studio, the creative spark is ignited. Early sketches evolve into refined designs through a process that captures the instantaneous magic of fire and the intuitive, ever-flowing creativity of water. Your insights help shape a design that truly feels like you.
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Harmonizing Wood and Metal
This is where art becomes tangible. In the workshop, wood and metal are transformed under careful craftsmanship—melding the meaningful connections of wood with the enduring strength and precision of metal to create pieces that are both beautiful and robust.
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A Synthesis of All Elements
The final step brings it all together. Your space is transformed into a daily reminder of your journey—each piece resonating with deep earth, vibrant fire, fluid water, soulful wood, resilient metal, and refreshing air. It’s a celebration of who you are and a reflection of where you’re going.
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I am fortunate to be surrounded by custom reclaimed lumber yards & saw mills such as Montana Reclaimed Lumber-North Yard, Big Timberworks, and the Good Wood Guys with friendly, Montana-focused teams that value sustainability and unique specialty woods. I am also pleased to source urban reclaimed desert hardwoods from the great team at Apple Blossom Woodworks in Arizona.
My preferred hardwood is Walnut because of its beautiful, warm color and grain variation. For creations with lighter coloring, I gravitate toward Elm and Hickory. And the dessert hardwoods of Acacia, Mesquite, and Sissoo/Indian Rosewood offer such intricate variations.
Because I am obsessed with character-filled reclaimed live-edge or hand-hewn wood, I am often fortunate to have “Dakota Piles” accumulate here and there. These assortments of unique wood are set aside when the twisted or void-marked piece just doesn’t fit the normal construction mold but is laden with way too much character to send to the burn pile.
And, “Dakota Piles” exist because of the genuine people at the lumber yards who also have a passion for reclaiming a piece of history. I am so grateful!
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While I have tried numerous metal patina techniques, I prefer the minimalist look of black steel – so I gravitate toward powder coating for a clean look with long-lasting protection.
The crew at Powder Coating of Montana has been such a reliable source for my favorite matte-black finish.
With that said – special orders with a splash of color or a patina finish are possible, but require a longer timeline.
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I use Rubio Monocoat hardwax oil wood finish, which is an extremely durable finish and enhances the natura beauty of wood furniture.
For best care, the golden rule is “less is more”. A damp cloth is usually all you need, and only when necessary. Make sure to wipe the surface dry to prevent water from sitting on the table surface.
Rubio Surface Care Spray or properly diluted Rubio Monocoat Soap are the only recommended cleaners for your Rubio finished furniture. These cleaners will remove all dirt and grease without leaving a film or affecting the natural look of the wood.
Although Rubio Monocoat finish is very durable, the use of coasters and trivets are highly recommended. Some of the most damaging things to wood furniture is direct heat, cold, and moisture. Thus, I always recommend using trivets, coasters, and placemats when possible, to extend the life of your solid wood furniture.
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As an artisan, I am committed to creating sturdy, robust furniture that is built to last. I take pride in my craftsmanship and guarantee the structural integrity of my solid wood furniture, including joints, hardware, finishes, and workmanship. This commitment to quality is extended to the original purchaser and is non-transferable.
It is important for the client to be aware that reclaimed wood has natural variations in color, grain and texture (ex. knots, nail holes, insect tunnels, etc.), which are not considered defects. Solid wood naturally expands and contracts due to variations in temperature and humidity. This movement may result in minor cracks, gaps, or separation in the wood. These are all part of the natural behavior of wood and do not constitute a defect.
Additionally, while I use high quality finishes to seal the wood and UV-resistant epoxy resin, it is important for the client to be aware that resin can yellow or discolor over time, especially when placed in direct sunlight.
“Dakota’s eye for detail and intuitive craftsmanship is unmatched. I could feel her intentionality in every line, every pour of epoxy, and every finishing touch.”
