Custom furniture should complement a room's decor and add long-lasting beauty to a home.

I begin each of my projects by listening closely to a client’s ideas and viewing the space in which the new piece will be placed. Using time-honored design fundamentals, I then create a unique plan. Simple, small projects may require only basic design sketches. For larger or more elaborate projects I usually produce CAD drawings, which give accurate proportions and clarify how the numerous design elements and components work together.

Build

Many shops rely primarily on power tools and machinery. I use both modern power tools and traditional hand tools to achieve the unique quality that this combination can produce.

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Woodworking projects of all sizes require these four essential steps

Resizing of Stock (Selection and Preparation of Lumber)
With a good design and an accurate plan in hand, selecting lumber and milling the stock down to appropriately-sized rough pieces can seem like a straightforward process. But much depends on paying close attention to this step. Selecting and resizing lumber requires an appreciation of wood's natural qualities and an ability to use its imperfections to advantage. It requires a respect for each wood type's inherent strengths and weaknesses, especially its response to moisture fluctuation. Some may consider this first step mundane, but I am intrigued by the challenges it presents. I select and prepare lumber with great care. Success in all remaining stages of construction, indeed the very integrity and beauty of the envisioned piece of furniture, depend on the care taken in this step.


Joinery
Joinery requires knowledge and patience; knowledge to choose the right joinery for the application and patience to execute it correctly. Today’s powerful and time-saving tools often tempt woodworkers to choose methods that get the job done quickly. But taking the time to construct with the right joinery will ensure a piece’s longevity. This is the heart and soul of high-quality custom woodworking, and I don't shy away from doing it right.


Assembly
Experience is as important in this exciting step as it is in the first two steps. During assembly, the design and construction work take shape, and I begin to approach the piece as a whole. The individual skills—gluing, clamping, nailing, and screwing parts together—are easily mastered. But years of experience guide the assembly process toward success. It must never be rushed.

Finish
A carefully selected combination of stain, glaze color, and protective finish can give a piece life and originality, and complement the home’s decor. The appropriate finish is usually discussed and narrowed down in the design phase of the project. The number of finishing options can seem limitless, but my experience informs the selection process. I have experience with paint (oil and latex), stain, varnish, lacquer (oil and waterborne) and penetrating oil (tung, linseed and Danish). In addition to standard finishes, I can create a variety of distressed, antique finishes that add age and depth to a piece.

Enjoy

With unlimited design possibilities, we can create nearly anything from a basic storage cabinet or a small bookcase to a full room of cabinetry.

Please see visit the Portfolio page to view completed work