I believe that a new piece of period furniture should look like an actual, historic piece, not like a reproduction. To me, an 18th-century design with a new, modern finish is not an accurate re-creation of the original. It is my intent to make pieces that resemble historically accurate “antiques”—pieces that show the wear and patina of the originals and are not obvious reproductions. Often, the aging and antiquing process of adding the “patina” finish to the piece takes as much time as the actual construction. This process has limits, though, in that I may not finish the interior or the back of a piece to the same extent—in order to avoid any illusion of fakery. It is my intent to produce a piece, an “honest fake” if you will, that looks like an original you might discover in your grandparents’ barn or attic.

Through constant research and observation, I have come to understand fully the original tools, construction techniques, design, materials, and finishes necessary to produce historically accurate pieces. My pieces are based on actual, documented originals found in museums and private collections.

By using the materials of the period (milk paint, shellac), authentic construction techniques (dovetail, mortise and tenon joints), and hand tools similar to those used by 18th-century cabinetmakers, I create a piece with a history and a soul, rather than a machine-made reproduction.