Crafting the Adirondacks in Hollywood Supplying Custom Cedar Logs for the Ralph Lauren Holiday Market

When iconic American design meets authentic timber craftsmanship, something extraordinary happens.

This holiday season, our team was chosen to supply the natural cedar logs, raw structural timbers, and custom wooden components for the Ralph Lauren Holiday Market activation on La Cienega in Los Angeles.

Bringing a rustic, high-alpine Adirondack aesthetic to the heart of Southern California is no small feat. It requires an uncompromising commitment to material quality, deep knowledge of timber selection, and precise craftsmanship. Here is an inside look at how our timber specialists helped turn Bureau Betak’s vision into an immersive winter sanctuary for one of the world's most distinguished fashion houses.

1. The Vision: Bringing Adirondack Elegance to Los Angeles

The Ralph Lauren brand has long been synonymous with timeless, heritage luxury—and few motifs encapsulate that spirit better than the traditional lodge aesthetic of the Adirondacks.

For the Holiday Market activation, the design brief demanded a blend of rugged, natural beauty and refined sophistication. The site plan featured several key timber structures, including:

A Central Pavilion & Pop-Up Structures: Serving as the focal hub for guests, crafted with exposed timber framing and classic log construction.

Ralph’s Coffee Lodge: A warm, cabin-inspired space offering warm beverages nestled within a rustic timber setting.

The Entry Arch & Tree Lot Enclosures: Welcoming guests into a curated pine forest atmosphere, surrounded by authentic cedar fencing and grand log entryways.

To achieve this level of authenticity, synthetic or mock materials simply wouldn't do. The design team at Bureau Betak needed genuine, high-grade white cedar logs that possessed natural texture, warmth, and structural integrity. That’s where our expertise came in.

1. Timber Expertise in Action: Selecting and Preparing the Cedar

Sourcing logs for a high-profile design activation requires a specialized understanding of timber characteristics. Natural cedar is the gold standard for rustic architecture due to its unique combination of aesthetic appeal, workability, and aromatic qualities.

Why Cedar?

Aesthetic Character: Cedar offers rich grain patterns, warm honey-to-amber tones, and a natural checking (weather cracks) that adds immediate vintage character without compromising strength.

Tactile and Aromatic Appeal: The authentic scent of real cedar immediately engages visitors, creating a sensory environment that elevates the guest experience from the moment they step into the activation.

Workability & Precision: Constructing temporary yet structurally sound pop-up pavilions, photo moments, and coffee stations requires logs that can be precision-milled, notched, and assembled seamlessly on site.

Our master timber graders hand-selected each log for straightness, taper consistency, and character. From the heavy-timber main posts supporting the Central Pavilion to the custom-cut rails lining the site perimeter, every piece was selected to meet strict structural and aesthetic guidelines.

1. From Supply to Site: Engineering and Custom Fabrication

Supplying a project of this scale isn't just about loading logs onto a flatbed truck; it involves meticulous pre-fabrication and logistics planning.

Working closely with project engineers and event builders, our team provided custom-milled parts tailored to exact blueprints:

Custom Notching & Joinery: Log components were pre-milled and pre-fit in our yard to ensure rapid, seamless assembly during the high-stakes buildout on La Cienega.

Surface Finishing: We carefully brushed and debarked the timbers, retaining the natural contours and rugged character while ensuring a smooth, splinter-free finish safe for public interaction.

Custom Architectural Details: From decorative knee braces and heavy timber trusses to custom cedar decking and railing systems for the entrance bridges, every part was engineered for quick installation and total stability.

1. The Result: A Historic Holiday Experience

When the gates opened for the five-day activation—starting with an exclusive launch cocktail party before welcoming the public—the transformation was absolute. Amidst tall pine trees, vintage wooden canoes, and classic winter decor, our cedar logs provided the grounding architectural backbone for the entire village.

Whether visitors were grabbing a hot cup at Ralph’s Coffee, picking out a fresh holiday tree, or capturing photos under the grand Adirondack log entry, the warmth of genuine cedar set the stage for an unforgettable seasonal experience.

Partnering on Architectural & Event Timber Projects

At our core, we believe that real wood carries a story. Our team brings decades of combined experience in forestry, custom milling, and timber supply to high-end residential, commercial, and experiential design projects nationwide.

Whether you are designing a permanent log structure, an authentic timber-frame venue, or a custom branded pop-up activation, our specialists provide the expertise, materials, and precision joinery needed to bring your vision to life.

Planning a unique timber or log project? Contact Larry Trimboli today to discuss species selection, custom milling capabilities, and wholesale supply options.