Using a Well-Defined Process for a One-of-a-Kind Result
Neal and I both have a background in computer science. There is a story arc from there to here: form and function.Computer programs essentially organize data.A lot of thoughtful design goes into a good program to make sure that it not only does the job efficiently and accurately, but that the human interfaces (data entry or presentation) are appealing to the user.A computer program is generally a collection of algorithms (a precise rule set) and human interfaces.One algorithm that always fascinated me was the random number generator.The idea that you have a precise rule set to generate a random result is a bit of a paradox.
The same principle is behind Neal’s random-pattern cutting boards.He has a precise process for creating the boards:he starts with clean, straight stock and cuts that into strips of varying width.The strips are glued together then cut cross-ways to create strips of varying woods.These strips are planed to straight then glued together again in the opposite direction.The process is repeated: glue, cut, plane, glue, cut, plane as many times as necessary until you like result.Then, the board is cut to size, sanded and finished with a blend of beeswax and food grade mineral oil.
Like the random number generating algorithm, a simple, precise rule set builds a one-of-a-kind product.And, like a good computer program, the result is a beautiful as it is functional. They are one of my favorite kitchen tools. I use one every morning to deliver chopped greens to my pampered house chicken.
I would like to point out that the dancing unicorn princess visiting Neal’s workshop was being supervised off camera.No dancing unicorn princesses were harmed in the making of these cutting boards.
My mom always tried to put on a good show at Thanksgiving when we were kids.“Forks go on the left!”, she would command, “Napkins on the right.”We learned it was easier to pretend that we normally cared about those things.As she brought the food for the table, she would say (for the benefit of our guests), “Remember, pass to the LEFT”, as if that was something we ever did. But, once the food landed, she lost all control as we would all dive, forks first, towards our favorite foods.And she would roll her eyes and declare (again, for the benefit of our guests), “They are so uncivilized.”
Thanksgiving is likely to be a much smaller gathering this year.Always looking for the silver linings, I’m hoping this means more time relaxing at the table and less time in the kitchen cooking for a mob.More elbow space means more opportunity to dress the table with our most vibrant, cheerful textiles and favorite ceramics and wood accessories. We prefer our table not to be too matchy-matchy. Our go-to plates are salad-sized plates from Rainbow Gate in Santa Fe. Everyone has their favorite color (Neal pretends not to, but we all know it’s red.) And everyone chooses their favorite dinner napkin and placemat. In other words, everyone decorates their own space. (Except for Neal, who pretends not to care so we decorate for him.) Our table is an eclectic mix of color, pattern, wood and ceramics. And, of course, good food.
I have admit that I still don’t really care on which side of my plate the fork is placed – as long as it is handy when the stuffing lands.
Need some ideas for adding color and texture to your table? Shop our Kitchen and Dining collection.
2020 has proceeded like a bulldozer through our lives.But, we tend to be the kind of people that look for a silver lining rather than wallow in unwanted change.One positive outcome of Covid life is that we now spend a lot of time in our kitchen.The benefits are tangible: the food we prepare is healthier and less expensive.Our kitchen is not only our favorite new restaurant, it is our break room and conference room.It is literally the center of our house.
Aprons for pancake Sunday
Layout
Our kitchen is large and bright, but oddly shaped and lacking in a practical space for a farmhouse table.I think a table was supposed to go in the window bay.We tried that when we first bought the house but I found myself constantly squinting at the morning sun. Our solution was to tuck a small table under the center island so we can spread out onto the island if we need extra room.Then, I put a houseplant jungle and cozy reading chair in the window bay – the perfect spot for an afternoon coffee and sketching session.
Coffee is a big part of our day.I prefer dark coffee in the french press – so thick you could almost stand a spoon in it.Neal likes his coffee considerably more tame.Since we don’t have a lot of upper cabinets, Neal built the gorgeous shelves to organize our favorite mugs, teas and sweeteners.The white countertops are great for reflecting light but easily show the coffee station mess so a stack of wiping towels is essential!
I’m not a huge fan of the white cabinets because of their tendency to show dirt.But, I do like the natural brightness of the room.I find the best solution to toning down all that white (and hiding some dirt) is to tuck colorful placemats in here and there. Bonus: on cleaning day, I can change the color scheme with new placemats.As with our business, we mix the warm wood with the textiles throughout our kitchen.
Most of our appliances are close to 30 years old and they all have their issues. The gas stove igniter hasn’t worked in years, so I use a lighter.The oven door leaks and the microwave occasionally loses its mind.I worry about the planned obsolescence of modern appliances so I don’t want to replace them unless I absolutely have to.I have learned to live with their quirks and I surround them with colorful textiles to hide their age.
Our kitchen may not be the perfect embodiment of our “less is more” ideal, but we working on it.Over time, we are replacing clutter with functional beauty.While we are having fun exploring recipes and fine-tuning our cooking chops, we will also continue to do what we can to support our favorite local food-based businesses. For the foreseeable future, we are sticking with to-go orders and curb-side pickup followed by a picnic in our kitchen.And, grocery delivery is my new normal.All that time saved driving around and shopping can now be directed at reading old cookbooks in my cozy chair with a cup of coffee in a mug made by a friend.
Most of my custom projects begin with a client sending me a photo with the message “Can you build me something like this?” As was the case for this project – a financial advisor was remodeling his office and wanted a conversation table for meeting with clients. He originally sent a picture of something that was multi-level so that he could stack important papers and brochures.
After the initial contact comes the conversation to glean project details. I learned that not only did Keith want something with the right look (interesting, modern, clean) but it had to fit in his office comfortably with room for chairs and up to 3 people. Sometimes the table would provide an inviting seating and discussion area. Other times it would be used to spread out papers. We decided together that instead of fixed shelving levels, we would design a table that could easily be reconfigured from multi-level to single flat level.
Once we had agreed upon the concept, I worked on detailed design drawings and electronic product mock-ups to flush out the desired shape. As we circled in on the organic “bean” shape, I built a cardboard mock-up and took it to Keith’s office so he could get a feel for the size of the table in his space. The mock-up also helped us determine the best height of the table so that people could comfortably reach for a cup of coffee or sign a paper. Our final decision had to do with the type of wood based on the desired color and figure of the wood grain that worked well with Keith’s other office furnishings.
Here is a view of the finished product:
From the close-up, you can see that the top “bean” simply rests on top with padded feet. It is heavy enough to remain in place but very simple to tuck it under the table if maximum surface area of the main level is required for spreading out papers.
I hope you will agree that the finished product is visually stunning as well as highly functional.
When we were young, we went furniture shopping for our first apartment and were pretty quickly put off by the high cost yet cheap quality of what we saw.At some point, I thought, “Maybe we should buy some tools instead.”Thus, a hobby was born. I started with a handful of tools in my garage. In 2002, I realized my dream of building my own workshop.
Wood Shop Exterior
My Process
I am strongly influenced by the 20th century American Craftsman ideal of surrounding yourself with things that are beautiful as well as functional and durable. I have designed some standard furniture pieces, including a collection accent tables, that highlight my design aesthetic.
Table collection
In addition to my standard designs, I also love to work closely with clients to design and build heirloom-quality furniture that meets their individual needs. I will consult with a client to discuss needs, measurements and wood preferences then I design on paper. Once the client and I agree on the final design, I will start building.
Wood Shop Main ViewShop EntranceTablesawPlanning ChalkboardWorkbenchPlaning Station and Wood Storage
And, if I’m lucky, I get visited by unicorns while I work.
The American Craftsman Movement and its Influence on our Work
A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brains is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. – Louis Nizer.
Fresh out of college in the mid 80’s, fueled by two decent jobs, we set out to furnish our first apartment. Our expectations weren’t high as we both came from middle-class backgrounds. Wood, we thought, sturdy and easy to clean (we already had 1 cat). As we went from store to store, what we found instead was mass produced laminated junk held together with glue. Once in a while, we’d come across something that felt like ‘real furniture’ but the price was way out of our comfort zone. Neal finally suggested we buy tools instead and then we poked around bookstores for inspiration.
Woodworking and furniture building books we have collected over the years.
At first, we were attracted to Shaker styles. The slender tables and chairs had simple lines and were easy to understand, not overdone. As Neal’s skills grew, however, we started to consider furniture that had a bit more of a presence in a room. We found ourselves slowly pouring through books featuring American Craftsman masters such as Gustav Stickley and the Greene brothers. These books featured jaw-dropping furniture but discussed an entire way of life: properly designed homes and fair employment for the builders. And, so, we dug deeper.
Craftsman Roots: The English Arts and Crafts Movement
The American Craftsman movement is rooted in the English Arts and Crafts movement which started in the mid-1800’s. The English Arts and Crafts movement has been described as a rebellion against the excesses of the Victorian Age and industrialization. Thought leaders such as William Morris (1834-1896) and John Ruskin (1819-1900) were champions of the working class. They advocated the honesty and integrity of the craftsman and the sustainability of handmade versus factory production. Eventually, the movement was a victim of its own success. Embracing a strictly handmade policy resulted in furnishings that were priced way outside the range that a working person could afford.
Craftsman style bookshelf of maple and cherry designed for our granddaughter.
Handcrafted and affordable
The American Craftsman movement started at the end of the 1800’s. The American Society of Arts and Crafts developed a credo that emphasized respect for workmen and orderly, restrained design. American masters applied harmonious design to the home, furnishings and landscaping. A cornerstone of the movement was that it should be accessible to the middle-class. Craftsman bungalows were designed to embrace a housewife preparing meals and the family gathering for casual dining. These bungalow designs were available as affordable mail-order catalog kit homes in the early 1900’s. My grandparents, working class survivors of the Great Depression, had one in New Jersey. I still remember the smell of the oak trim in the dining room and the awesome staircase with little stained glass window.
This mission style oak credenza was originally designed to be executive office furniture for Tammy. It has been repurposed to storage of our barware. The lamp and standing frame are also our designs.
Adapting the craftsman Style
We were immediately hooked by the photos of bungalow homes in harmony with their furnishings and gardens. At first, we studied designs in reprints of old craftsman furniture catalogs. We were primarily drawn to the bungalow style of Greene and Greene and the mission style of Roycroft and Stickley. After a time spent trying to reproduce these designs, our own aesthetic started to emerge. We went back to that idea of balance: balancing form and function, building furniture that fits in our home and that suits our lifestyle. The size of our designs are scaled back so they are moveable and fit our narrow rooms. We also balanced the sturdy, boxy shapes tapered legs and interesting angles. We add interest to common building materials such as cherry and maple with accents of exotic hardwoods. While we tend to use neutral textiles in larger areas such as drapes and seat cushions, we love to add pops of color with pillows and throws. This allows flexibility for our modern tendency to redecorate seasonally.
Collected Hands Studio style: handcrafted home accessories. Classic wood styles, vibrant textiles.
Modern Relevancy of the Craftsman style
The American Craftsman movement fizzled by 1930 as middle-class America became interested, once again, in the more cost-efficient modern styles. Since the end of World War II we’ve seen a steady progression of industrialization: housing developments, shopping malls, IKEA stores and plastic everything. Americans are becoming more aware that this endless pursuit of cheap goods has a dark side in the loss of middle class jobs and industrial toxins. However, I see hope as the millennials bloom into adulthood. Online forums for DIY and handmade topics are very popular. Conversations about individuality vs. mass-produced convenience are taking place. The connection to our natural world is also becoming increasingly important. People want to know about the sustainability and environmental impact of the things they buy.
A sample of our current designs: a conversation chair, small table, clock and textiles.
Collected Hands Studio
Collected Hands Studio home furnishings are modern interpretations of the American Craftsman movement. We provide an eclectic blend of bungalow, mission, art deco and modern styles. We design and build our collection in our home studios in Corrales, New Mexico. Smaller items, such as textiles, clocks and keepsake boxes, are available in our Etsy store. Larger furnishings are available at local markets and pop-up shops and through our showroom by appointment. In addition to ready-made items, we love working directly with people to design beautiful furnishings to meet particular needs. Our items will certainly cost more than items from the big box store but we do strive to make them affordable.
Please contact us to discuss commissions or shipping details of larger items if you don’t live in the Albuquerque, NM area. Many of our smaller items are also available in our online store.
To Learn More
Refer to this previous post for a tour of Neal’s workshop. This wikipedia article is a useful starting point if you’d like to learn more about the American Craftsman Movement.
