Handmade Furniture

Handmade furniture, one piece at a time, has been a staple of our Work for 50 years. Tables, chairs, 18th Century or Greene and Greene - all styles, all authentic designs, with the appropriate materials, joinery, and final effect. We know how to go about getting the proportions right, the moldings correct…..the presence of the piece is what comes thru after including all the details. Whether we use machines to make the curved bracket crest, or a spokeshave and compass to finesse the curves in a recurved bonnet. Again, the area of problem solving is defined and resolved as needed. As we build, we can feel the disparate threads coming together, linking up and making the case - literally and figuratively for the casework.

A blurred image from the internet started the conversation about a pair of French Blue cabinets flanking a fireplace in a dining room. The client was familiar, we had produced everything from exterior doors to interior doors, to special windows and special stair parts for the new home.

The image was used as a starting point, with scaled drawings the result. The size was considered in the room, as cabinets can have a way of dominating. We want positive domination, not lurking. The moldings were determined, and tooling made. Materials gathered. We determined the sawtooth shelf adjustment was prominent at the time the original cabinet was made, so we utilized it in the cabinets.

Finish samples were made to enhance the antique French linens to be at table. Authentic French hinges and latches were found and put to use. Final sanding and detailing in the carvings prepared the cases for paint.

Delivery placed the cabinets in the room. I takes a large room to accept two tall cabinets and not be scaled out by them. The clearances and heights were perfect. We were able to enjoy the cabinets and their place in the project for a few minutes before we packed up and returned to the shop. Only when we got back did we realize that once again, we forgot to take photos of the finished work in the proper place.

Often we will not be notified that a project is complete and we can come and photograph. So the opportunity does not present itself. Sometimes it is matter of privacy. Mostly, the opportunity just did not present itself.

We enjoy furniture since it gives us a break from the doors, and often uses a wider variety of woods, techniques and joinery than the doors. We get work with exotics like Wenge, Satinwood, Burled Walnut, and even Rosewood. The challenges are similar and stimulating, while the rewards are ongoing and complete.