Commissions

 

Thank you for your interest in my work! 

My furniture designs are inspired by iconic American furniture, blended with contemporary forms and influences. A custom or commissioned piece of furniture is a unique piece of functional art created for a specific person, place or use. Each piece is made by hand, by me in my studio. I use hand tools and traditional processes that give my work a unique style and physical integrity. I am deeply invested in my clients and each project that I take on. 
Much of my work has come through commissions, allowing me to create one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture. I enjoy the process of developing and designing work based on a client’s specific needs, collaborating on a look, feel, design and function that excites us both.
This is how I like to work and how I like to do business, which means that my pieces take time and I usually book out at least 6 months. At this time I am focusing on Windsor chair designs, sculptural brushes and pieces with custom imagery in glass, marquetry or brass and am prioritizing commissions that allow me creative leeway, because I believe this stimulates my best work.
Thank you so much for your interest—I can’t wait to meet you and hear about what you have in mind.

 

 Commission Process

  • Usually a client reaches out to me because they like my aesthetic and have a specific type of piece in mind. We talk about what the client needs in terms of dimensions, wood choice and style, and discuss the client’s budget for the work to give me an idea of how elaborate to make the design, for example whether to include a hidden compartment or precious materials. I may ask the client to let me know which of my work they like best, to get a better idea of their wishes. We also discuss timing and shipping; clients receive a specific time and cost estimate as part of the commission process.

  • What is your lead time?
    I spend a substantial amount of time not only considering the look and materials of the piece but also how the client will interact with it. My goal is for a client to have the greatest possible joy from every aspect of the piece. Each project is custom-designed, and I am typically booked six months or more in advance. As a result, I want to be sure I will be able to complete the piece within the client’s timeframe.

    Will I need to place a deposit?
    Once we have decided on the details of the piece, I ask for a 50% deposit. This enables me to purchase the materials needed for the work and reserves your spot in my schedule.

  • Once I have a better understanding of a client’s needs and desires, I gather inspirational images and make quick sketches for the client to review. I call these my chicken scratches, and do them to allow us to develop ideas and decide which direction will work best. Once we have focused on a particular design I will draw a piece in two dimensions to give the client a better idea of proportions, then make a 3D rendering using computer-assisted design to give the client an overall feel for the piece.

  • The cost of a piece depends on its style, the amount of design work involved, whether it needs to be customized to fit a particular space, the timeline, charges for shipping and materials, and other factors. As one example, my chairs start at $1,100.

  • Where are you located?
    I travel a lot! I’m currently an artist-in-residence in San Diego, CA, but will relocate to southern New Hampshire in the summer of 2022.

    Do you do appraisals of antiques, repairs or conservation?
    No. I have a lot of respect for these vocations and believe they are best left to those with specific training!