Favourate woodworkers and designers
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Hi everyone,
I hope there’s not already topic started on this, I went through quickly and couldn’t find one. I just wanted to know what kind of styles of furniture people like and if there’s any specific designers and makers that your fond of? Just to create a chance to find new stuff that might be inspirational.
I do love the simplicity of craftsman and shaker style work, but sometimes it simplicity can verge on being dull. I’ve recently discovered the work of Sam Maloof. His work is very elegant and beautiful, but still very simple. I’m not a fan of older fashionable work. Like Thomas Chippendale. His work is incredible but a bit over the top for me.
here a link to some photos of Sam Maloofs work http://www.flickr.com/photos/hlclicks/4527681324/
Cheers
Joe
Lincolnshire, England
www.joesleightwoodworker.co.ukI love Sam’s work, one day I am going to make one of his rockers. He was an incredible man, working up into his 90’s and still buying lumber for future projects as if he never had any plans of retiring.
I am also a big fan of Greene & Greene furniture, with all the exposed joinery.
As far as teaching is concerned, I can’t think of anyone that has a better approach to the basics than Paul Sellers does here. I am anxious to take a crack at his rocking chair when the time comes. I would love to make it to one of his sessions in the castle.
Memphis, Tennessee
Hi,
I like the simple lines of the shaker style, but agree that some of the utilitarian stuff can be a bit too minimalist. Same with craftsman style. Often the quartered oak (which I really like) clashes with the simple details of a piece.
Maloof stuff is great, I agree. I met Sam Maloof a couple of times and he was a very nice guy. Very down to earth and friendly, and willing to pass on what he knew.
My favorite designers were Green and Green. I took my son on the woodworkers tour of the Gamble house in Pasadena last year and we were blown away. They designed the house and all the furniture, and it’s a walk-in work of art. On that tour you get to go past the ropes and go up close to everything. If you find yourself close to Pasadena don’t miss it. There are many books on Green and Green, and plenty on the interwebs if you want to check it out.
Marc
Doing the best I can with what I've got.
I agree with all the above. Green and Green, Maloof, Krenov (his books are a great read) but when I first laid eyes on Yazawa’s joint work I started to sell every thing I own to move to Japan and study with him, very inspirational, over the top, maybe; but so much fun to try and figure out how he made the things he does…
Here is the link: http://www.eurus.dti.ne.jp/~k-yazawa/jointwork.html
There is also another woodworker who has inspired me and here is a link to his site: http://whyrhymer.com/collections/seating
I also agree with the above. Lots of great stuff there. In addition to the above I would mention George Nakashima. The style is a bit much for me at times, but I like his philosophy (which is carried on by his daughter now that he is gone). I would encourage you to look into it if you haven’t already. It is quite different from the average craftsman.
Well here is a challenge. I am fascinated by the Greene and Greene style but my wife hates it and thinks it’s old fashion. Yes it’s old but beautiful. Please help me 🙂
Cheers for all the replys. I’ve never heard of Greene and Greene before so I’ll check it out now. I only found Sam Maloof’s work when I was looking at a book called Artists Handmade Houses. Which is an awesome book. I won’t to make one of his rocking chairs to. I’ve already made one of Paul’s on his month long course in Banger and i’m currently making another one. I’m trying to make it a little more my own though.
I think Krenov’s work is amazing. Again its the simplicity of it, but there’s nothing dull about it at all. I got A Cabinetmaker’s Notebook by Krenov for Christmas. Paul recommended it to use on the month long course. It really like no other woodworkers book I’ve ever read. Very honest and humble. Its not technical at all, more about his philosophy and ethos on working wood.
I can’t find a gallery of Paul’s work. He used to have a portfolio on his website but I can’t find it now. His rocking chairs a beautiful and simple to. My work bench was right next to one of his on the course and I had the pleasure of coating it in saw dust and nearly knocking it of its stand.
Thanks for the replys, I’ll check out Greene and Greene.
Cheers
Joe
Lincolnshire, England
www.joesleightwoodworker.co.ukCraig Vandall Stevens work is appealing. ( http://www.cvstevens.com/portfolio.htm ). I particularly like how he does chip carving of natural scenes with flowing lines (rather than motivic patterns). See some of his screens for example. He does both inlay and carving.
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