furniture!
I first became interested in branching out from creating items a person can hold to building items that can hold a person after seeing the stools and chairs made by Jogge Sundqvist. I was inspired by his ability to bring his love of color and whimsy that give his spoons so much character to larger, but equally functional items.
I then got my hands on the Stick Chair Book, by Chris Schwarz. The history, terminology, designs and building processes contained in this book are truly a gold mine and after reading the first few chapters I was itching to make my first stick chair. That time came a few months later in 2024, when my friend Jake Goudey offered his shop space and expertise to teach another friend and I how to build the “Curved Back Armchair” from the Stick Chair Book. Three days later I was sitting in the first chair I’d ever made, certain that it would not be the last.
A more recent source of inspiration has been the work of George and Mira Nakashima, which was introduced to me by my friend and mentor Ty Bleifus. The Nakashima repetoire is stunning, as is their uncompromising pursuit of both beauty and function.
