Custom Woodworking

Solid Oak entertainment center, made to specific dimensions of stereo equipment and TV

Ever since I would work with my Dad and my Grandpa on small projects as a kid, I’ve always loved the chance to design and craft woods projects. In High School, I was fortunate to have 4 years straight of Wood Shop. From that time, I have continued to design and build medium to large- sized furnishings for family and friends.

Typically the design process consists of three steps:

1. Meet to discuss details, dimensions and the function of the piece. Type of wood, hardware, and style are determined.

2. I draw up a design, and if necessary, the draft is checked and tweaked until the desired product is achieved.

3. Lumber and I hang out in my parents garage for a few weeks and discuss the meaning of life and other such existential matters until Lumber becomes Furniture.

close up on custom made crown molding

This Entertainment Center was made my Junior Year of high school, and was built to the dimensions of the available space in our family room, as well as the stereo equipment we had available (including my brother’s PS3).

side view of pool table's oak skirt, carved leg, and side rail

Pool Table, 2003

This Pool Table was the biggest project I’ve worked on. It took one year to complete, and was built slightly smaller than a standard billiards table, to accommodate the space and tools I had to work with.

The most enjoyable part of building this piece was the detail involved in crafting the side panel in a way that allowed the legs to be removable.

I have the most experience working with solid oak, but have recently been working more with knotty pine and poplar.

In each piece that I work with, I work to stay faithful not only to the specs of the design, but also to the natural design of the wood. There is careful precision in choosing the right wood grain, the placement of the knots and the tone of the wood. All of these elements contribute to the overall look of the end product.