An Introduction of Old Friends

I consider myself a matchmaker between old friends – those meeting for the first time but with a lingering sense they’ve known each other for a lifetime.

It’s a slow burn.

It’s intentional.

It feels new, yet familiar and exactly where we want to be.

Granted, this story is of a pairing between intricately storied wood and fascinating people, but it’s a special union nonetheless. Katie’s custom pieces are such a symbolic representation of this merger-turned-alliance.

When sifting through reclaimed wood, the most twisted, knotted, notched and rugged slab at the bottom of the pile is exactly what I gravitate toward. It’s the piece that I know will tell me a story and offer an uncommon stance – one with substance and depth. It has a familiar stubbornness that I’d like to get to know. I must simply be willing to commit the hours to listen and learn.

As with any friendship, the nuances can only be uncovered through time together. Listening. Engaging. Pushing back against resistance. Celebrating the milestones. Challenging to gain understanding. Through shared experiences, we reveal ourselves to each other – our stretch-marks and warts, our vulnerabilities and triumphs, our journeys that unfold in the telling of our pasts and the illumination of our dreams.

So, through the arduous process of stabilizing reclaimed wood, I learn every inch of its depth: its resilience and hardships, its challenges and imperfections, its intriguing core, and frankly – its soul. By the time I have transformed the mangled board into functional art, it feels like an old friend.

Core Elements Studio Custom Coffee Table

I then get to introduce my storied companion to another beautiful soul.

And, in walks Katie – with her beaming smile, caring heart, resolute character with deep Montana roots, and a strong passion for family and community. She and her husband had recently moved to Bozeman, established themselves professionally, bought a home, started a family, and were claiming their space as they stepped out into the world.

Katie was wanting pieces that were unique yet reliable, steeped in Montana culture but not conventional, statement pieces with deep rich tones mingled with modern structure. She wanted functional art that not only elevated their space, but also conveyed their individual story to the friends and family they so lovingly host.

As they were acquiring sofas and area rugs to ground their cozy space, we moved in some of my signature pieces so Katie could simply get a feel for what she liked as a way to refine her preferences. As we all know – it’s often easier to revise a blueprint than stare at a blank canvas.

Over time, as they settled in and claimed their space, we added more coordinating pieces that aligned with Katie’s vision and reflected the depth of their journey through life together as well as their intentions for the future.

This particular journey was truly a matchmaking of old friends – both storied, rich in character, deep in quality, bold, refined, and unique. They each embody qualities we want in our homes and our communities.

I feel so fortunate for the opportunity to help unite them under one roof.

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Photography by Kelsey Frey Creative

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“Working with Dakota Meeks was a truly exceptional experience. Her ability to intuitively understand our values and vision set the tone for a deeply collaborative process. ”

— Stacie & Cary C.

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. —Dakota