The SHOP
Built by Hand. Built to Last.
Welcome to the shop. No corporate showrooms here—just a backyard, a lot of sawdust, and where every project comes to life.
The Story
How It Started
My connection to this craft actually started back in junior high, where I fell in love with the woodshop and even received awards in the 8th grade for my work. Though the passion was always there, I ended up following a different path when I fell in love with computers. That tech journey led to my primary career as a Senior Manager for Quality Assurance at Melissa Data, a software company where I’ve spent the last 25 years ensuring absolute precision, validation, and structural integrity in code.
During COVID, I finally picked up woodwork craftsmanship again. Returning to the shop felt like coming home, but this time, I brought 25 years of relentless QA engineering standards with me. What started as a way to channel my energy during the lockdown quickly evolved from a dedicated hobby into a true calling.
TToday, operating out of a custom mobile studio, my professional philosophy remains entirely unchanged: I believe in delivering quality craftsmanship in every project I undertake. I apply the same rigorous eye for detail to premium hardwoods that I do to software structures. Every custom end-grain board, bold accent stripe, and heirloom cabinet that leaves my bench is meticulously built by hand, refined to the highest standard, and engineered to last for generations.
The Philosophy
The Philosophy
Material First
I select every board personally. The wood dictates the design as much as the client does. A piece of walnut with exceptional figure deserves to be showcased, not hidden.
Traditional Joinery
Mortise and tenon. Dovetails. Hand-cut bridle joints. These methods have held furniture together for centuries. I trust them over modern fasteners every time.
No Shortcuts
Hand-planed surfaces. Hand-sanded to 220 grit. Finishes applied in multiple thin coats, rubbed back between each. The difference is visible — and tactile.
Built for Generations
I build furniture that outlasts trends, outlasts houses, and gets passed down. If it won't last 100 years, I won't put my name on it.
The Materials
The Materials
I work with six species and materials — chosen for their character, their workability, and their longevity.
North American hardwood
Black Walnut
Rich chocolate-brown heartwood with a straight to slightly wavy grain. Exceptional figure in crotch and burl cuts. Darkens beautifully with age.
Best for: Dining tables, desks, heirloom pieces
North American hardwood
Hard Maple
Creamy white to light tan with a fine, uniform grain. One of the hardest domestic species. Takes a glass-smooth finish. Bird's eye and curly figure available.
Best for: Cabinetry, kitchen work surfaces, flooring
North American hardwood
White Oak
Light tan to medium brown with a pronounced ray fleck pattern when quartersawn. Naturally water-resistant. Timeless and endlessly versatile.
Best for: Built-ins, shelving, live edge slabs, outdoor pieces
Central & South American hardwood
Purple Heart
Striking violet-purple heartwood that deepens with UV exposure. Exceptionally hard and dense with a fine, straight grain. One of the most visually dramatic species available.
Best for: Cutting boards, accent pieces, decorative inlays
African hardwood
Padauk
Vivid red-orange tones that mellow to a rich reddish-brown over time. Coarse, open grain with a natural luster. Bold, warm, and unmistakable.
Best for: Cutting boards, mixed-species boards, statement pieces
Engineered hardwood panel
3/4 Baltic Birch Plywood
Void-free, multi-ply birch construction with a smooth, paintable face. Dimensionally stable and impact-resistant — built to take a beating outdoors without warping or splitting.
Best for: Cornhole sets, outdoor games, painted builds
The Process
The Process
Conversation
Every commission starts with a conversation. I want to understand how you live, how you use the space, and what you're imagining. No forms — just a real discussion.
Design & Selection
I sketch the piece and we select the lumber together when possible. You see the actual boards that will become your furniture before a single cut is made.
The Build
Milling, joinery, fitting, and finishing — all done by hand in my shop. I send progress photos throughout. No surprises at delivery.
Delivery & Care
I deliver and install every piece personally. You get a care guide specific to your wood species and finish, and I'm always available for questions.
Let's Build Something Together.
I take a limited number of commissions each year to ensure every piece gets the time it deserves.