Before we can begin to design your furniture, we need to define your project’s requirements clearly. We can have the conversation via phone, or if it works for both of us, we can meet and discuss it in person. The questions I need to discuss include but not be limited to:

What do you need?
A table, a cabinet, a decorative box, etc.
Where is it going to go?
Your dining room, office, kitchen, living room, etc.
What size do you want it to be?
it needs to hold 200 record albums

What style do you want?
If you have inspirational images for your project, let’s look. We can define your styles: modern, casual, clean, mid-century. If the conversation is in person, we can also examine and draw inspiration from your existing furniture.

What does it need to do?
Does it need to stand up to everyday use?
What does it need to hold?
How does it need to open?
Who is going to use it?

What is the range of your budget?
If you know a range, it would be beneficial if you shared it with me. Knowing your budget will allow me to design an achievable solution for both of us. Knowing that information influences the materials, processes, details, and features I could consider in crafting your furniture.

This is when the fun starts.

My design practice involves a systematic process that begins with loose sketches and, through your feedback and rounds of refinement, ends with a clear vision of what your project can become. Making a deposit reserves your place in my project queue. Once the project starts, the design phase can take two to six weeks, depending on the project's scope and complexity.

Design Phase Deliverables:
5 – 10 Pencil Sketches:
Quick pencil sketches to capture rough design ideas. We will review these and determine which idea(s) warrant further investigation and refinement.

1 – 2 Concept Drawings:
Based on the selected pencil sketches, these Concept drawings are “tighter” drawings, showing proportions and scale that bring the final piece more into focus. From these drawings, we can select the final design direction for your project.

Estimate
Once we have selected a design direction, I can provide you with an estimate for your project. If we are both comfortable with the number, I will request a 50% deposit to continue with the project. If the estimate is beyond your reach, we can attempt to simplify the design, or this may be our time to appreciate our shared experience and go our separate ways.

Mockup
Depending on the project, I may build a mockup of your project to finalize your project design. A mockup is a scaled model (often full-size) fabricated from inexpensive materials, including construction lumber, cardboard, Styrofoam, etc.- anything that can communicate the design in three dimensions. I use the mockup to evaluate a design’s size, scale, proportions, spatial relationships, and negative space. Time and logistics permitting, I like to bring the mockup to you so you can also evaluate the design. The mockup allows both of us to see how the piece feels, how it will fit into your space, and, most importantly, how it feels to you.

Engineering
We have a final design for your project, now I figure out exactly how I will make it. I start by drawing every aspect of your furniture using 3D design software. This process includes finalizing the dimensions of every component in your piece and including all the joinery. With the drawings complete, I create a Bill of Materials.

Procurement
Building a quality piece of furniture starts with selecting quality materials. Not only is the source of the wood important, but I handpick the best boards, looking for constant color, attractive grain patterns, and boards with the right character for your project. This is also the time for me to obtain any hardware required for the project, including hinges, drawer slides, door pulls, etc.

Fabrication
Now we can make some sawdust. Once I have the materials in hand, I can begin fabricating your piece. This includes the following processes:

Harvesting components from the rough boards
Milling the rough boards
Dimensioning components
Measuring, marking, and cutting the joinery
Shaping the components
Gluing the components into the final assembly
Surface preparation
Apply finish

Once I have completed your project, I will contact you and schedule a time to hand-deliver your furniture to ensure it arrives safely. I request the full project cost be paid before delivery is made. Deliveries within a 75-mile radius of Long Beach, CA, are included in the project cost. For deliveries beyond 75 miles, we will discuss options and costs during the design phase.