I feel it is important to share a little about what makes my products and services unique. I make every effort to promote and utilize domestic materials. Aside from carefully selecting the right materials for the job I strive to make furniture that will last for generations. We are all aware of the hot-button issues pertaining to the environment. I hope to remove myself from the political debate and instead focus on the obvious benefits of using local materials and talent, and building products that are designed to last. The challenge for designers in this day and age is not how to bend the material to our will, but how to bend our will to the material. Technology offers us the opportunity to build efficiently with regards to time and waste reduction. We must reinvent the nature and function of the products we live with in our daily lives through quality materials and craftsmanship.
My Principles:
- Build quality products.
- Experiment and have fun.
- Don't over-design. Focus on function.
- Use domestic products whenever possible.
- Be subtle.
My Themes:
- Dovetails
- Wide Boards
- Urban Timber
- Texture
- Color
Some Comments:
Materials:
I work exclusively with domestic and reclaimed solid woods. I will work with imported veneer species on a limited basis where client or design demands leave no other alternative. For years I have worked to phase out use of import or exotic solid woods in an effort to raise awareness of the bountiful harvest of the domestic timber industry. While I still have a small stock of this material remaining I have ceased to purchase these timbers as of 2007. With regards to veneer, since it is a high-yield method of processing timber, I do execute one or two projects a year that incorporate imported species. I strive to utilize European species versus tropical woods. In the future it is my goal to phase out imported veneers as well. Plywoods and other panel goods are all from domestic North American companies. I use both domestic and european hardware in executing my designs. When the domestic hardware industry is as innovative and quality driven as that of Europe I will change my purchasing habits.
Quality:
If you want to be environmentally friendly, than consider cutting your consumption. Purchasing quality goods that have the potential to last for generations is a key step in this direction. My work is heirloom quality. It will last the test of time. Finishes, method of construction, materials are all selected with an eye on the long term durability. Furthermore, my designs are driven by a mix of nostalgia and contemporary commentary. It is my hope that I can achieve a design that will remain pleasing to the eye as fads come and go.
Urban Timber:
Atlanta has the potential to lead the country in urban forestry. With abundant tree coverage many tons of viable timber are sent to landfills every day. For years I have collected this urban timber and amassed a large stockpile of slabs and seasoned timber. I estimate that 90% of all my solid wood furnishings built in 2009 were built entirely of urban timber.
