I create one-of-a kind heirloom furniture from my home shop that is dedicated to woodworking except for my lovely Bell solo canoe. I work as simply as possible, relying on time-tested methods, tools, and workflows. Each project is developed from hand drawings that evolve from pencil doodles to dimensioned plans. I work on one project at a time, from rough lumber to finished piece.

I use domestic hardwoods exclusively--black cherry, alder, walnut, maple, birch, and oak--because I want to know the provenance of wood I use. Exotic hardwoods are beautiful but their origins are often sketchy, and the habitats they come from are often in peril. Domestic hardwoods are usually lighter and more accepting of glues and finishes. I am always on the lookout for for wood that has been used before, to give it a second life in a piece of heirloom furniture.

I use environment-friendly finishes for most of my projects. My favorite finish is Tried-and-True Varnish Oil which is made according to a traditional recipe of pine-derived varnish and linseed oil. No toxic additives are used. It smells great and protects well. I also pre-finish everything with shellac, and end with wax and elbow grease. The finishing process is long and involves around twenty separate iterations covering every square inch of the piece. There is no other way to a truly great finish.