The Ambrosia Collection
At Millspaugh, we take this natural masterpiece and transform it into a table that is more than just furniture. It’s a one-of-a-kind work of art, a blend of nature’s creativity and human craftsmanship. The beetle’s unique touch brings an elegant design to every Ambrosia table, making it as individual as the family who gathers around it.
Thank you, little beetle, for your artistry. Now, that same art can become the centerpiece of your home.
It begins on a quiet hillside in West Virginia, where a young sapling reaches toward the sky, hungry for sunlight. Over the next 300 years, this Maple tree grows, its roots deepening into the earth, its branches stretching outward. The seasons come and go, and the tree stands as a witness to time, weathering storms and thriving in the rich Appalachian soil. But like all living things, the time comes when Maple’s cycle of life begins to slow, signalling its return to the earth. And that’s when the Ambrosia beetle makes its entrance.
This small yet remarkable beetle plays a significant role in transforming the tree. It burrows its way into the heart of the Maple, creating tunnels deep within the wood. These tunnels aren’t just empty spaces—they are galleries, lined with a fascinating garden of mycelium, the intricate root system of fungi. As the mycelium grows, it interacts with the wood, creating natural dyes that flow in stunning shades of aqua, vermilion, obsidian, umber, and Nevada gray.
What the Ambrosia beetle leaves behind is nothing short of extraordinary. The tunnels, now galleries of color, form intricate, abstract designs throughout the wood. Each streak, each shade, is a stroke of nature’s paintbrush, turning the once plain Maple into a canvas of natural art. No two trees are the same, and thus, no two Ambrosia dining tables will ever be alike.
