Seven designers working wonders with wood at LDF

Karl Harkness, the owner of Iron Oak, a custom furniture fabrication shop located in Shockoe Slip, has a lifelong passion for building. From a young age, he enjoyed disassembling and reassembling objects. This interest continued even as he pursued a business degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. Six years prior to establishing Iron Oak, Harkness began crafting furniture. As the demand for his custom pieces grew, he officially opened Iron Oak in 2014 to cater to this increasing clientele. Iron Oak provides a comprehensive turnkey service, involving a collaborative process with each customer. Harkness and his team work closely with clients to understand their specific vision for a piece, then develop a strategy to bring that vision to fruition. Their initial focus is on the functionality of the furniture, incorporating elements such as adjustable feet or electrical plugs when necessary. This ensures the piece is perfectly suited for its intended space, whether for a designer or a homeowner. The company's objective is to create durable furniture that will endure over time and effectively serve its purpose within the environment. The business specializes in crafting distinctive statement pieces, with a particular emphasis on dining room tables and bar cabinets. Iron Oak's manufacturing process utilizes locally sourced, reclaimed wood and metal, aligning with a commitment to sustainable practices and local resources. Their work spans both residential and commercial sectors. Notable commercial projects include the design and construction of clothing display units and a cash register desk for Jackson & James, a men's clothing store in Scott’s Addition. They also produced picnic tables for the outdoor patio of Gelati Celesti Ice Cream on Boulevard and barstools for a new brewery in Scott’s Addition, showcasing their versatility in different commercial settings. A key advantage highlighted by Harkness is Iron Oak's dedication to lifelong maintenance of each piece they create. This commitment stems from their local presence, allowing them to offer ongoing support to their customers. If a client encounters an issue with a piece in the future, or if they desire a refinishing service, Iron Oak stands by its product and provides these services. This ensures that customers receive sustained backing for their furniture for many years after purchase, reinforcing the company's reputation for quality and customer care. #WhereToFindItGuide #Furniture #Makers #IronOak #CustomFurniture #Woodworking #ReclaimedWood #MetalFabrication

JMP Wood, a family-owned business established in the 1970s in Brooklyn, New York, specializes in crafting custom stair parts. The company is renowned for its exceptional woodwork and meticulous attention to detail. Their process involves a combination of advanced computer-controlled tools and traditional wood-turning techniques to produce intricate and decorative elements for staircases. A significant component of their work involves creating balusters, which are decorative vertical supports that fill the space between the handrail and the stair tread or floor. The production of a baluster begins with selecting wood from JMP Wood's inventory, which is then cut to the required size. Each piece undergoes a thorough inspection for any defects such as cracks or imperfections before further processing. For efficiency in crafting multiple balusters, particularly for orders exceeding 20 pieces, JMP Wood utilizes Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. These machines are programmed with precise cutting coordinates, allowing them to replicate designs accurately and consistently, a process that would be considerably more time-consuming if done entirely by hand. However, for smaller orders of fewer than 20 pieces, the craftsmen at JMP Wood employ traditional hand-turning methods, showcasing their versatility and skill. After the initial shaping, the wood piece intended for a baluster is transferred to a CNC lathe machine. This specialized machine rotates the wood while a knife precisely cuts twisted designs into its surface, adding to the baluster's aesthetic appeal. Post-machining, each baluster is meticulously inspected for any remaining imperfections and then sanded to achieve a smooth finish. The creation of handrails follows a similar sophisticated process. A block of wood is prepared to the appropriate size and then digitally programmed using a 3D scanner. This scanner plays a crucial role in configuring the exact dimensions and curves required for the handrail. The data from the 3D scanner generates precise tool paths, guiding a five-axis CNC machine. A five-axis machine offers greater flexibility and precision, as its cutting tool can move in multiple directions, enabling complex cuts and shapes. Once the handrail is cut to form, it is detached from its support legs and undergoes a final sanding process. Upon completion of both balusters and handrails, the finished parts are carefully packaged and prepared for shipping. JMP Wood demonstrates considerable operational capacity, capable of processing between 20 and 100 custom orders weekly. This blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology allows JMP Wood to produce high-quality, custom staircase components efficiently, highlighting the artistry and engineering involved in each piece. #JMPWood #StaircaseDesign #Woodwork #CustomFabrication #CNCMachining #WoodTurning #Balusters #Handrails #HomeImprovement

Dutch designer Carolien Laro has pioneered a revolutionary approach to woodworking, demonstrating that solid wood can be transformed into a pliable, flexible material capable of bending and flexing under pressure. Her innovative Spring Wood collection challenges traditional perceptions of wood as a rigid material, opening up vast possibilities for furniture design, product development, and even architectural applications. The collection, which was showcased at Milan Design Week 2016, is the result of extensive experimentation with conventional wood sawing techniques combined with the precise cutting of slots into solid wood pieces. The core of Laro's technique involves collaborating with woodworking company Ritmeester to produce a specialized ash wood material. This process begins with gluing multiple layers of wood together to form a single, highly durable panel. Following this, intricate grooves are meticulously cut into both the top and underside surfaces of these wooden panels using advanced CNC milling technology. These precisely engineered grooves are what imbue the wood with its remarkable elasticity, allowing it to flex and spring while retaining its structural integrity. Crafting the seating surfaces, particularly the 'pillow' components of her designs, is a labor-intensive process, requiring more than 480 individual CNC groove-milling steps. This level of precision and detail highlights the sophisticated engineering behind Laro's work, ensuring both the aesthetic appeal and functional flexibility of each piece. The Spring Wood collection features several distinctive furniture designs, each showcasing the versatility of this new material. Among these are 'The Paperclip,' a contemporary stool characterized by its stainless steel legs, offering a modern aesthetic combined with the unique flexibility of the wood. Another notable piece is 'Restless Legs,' which stands out with its innovative four-wheeled design, suggesting mobility and dynamic interaction. Finally, 'The Bridge' is presented as a three-seater piece, supported by a robust steel frame that complements the supple wooden elements, demonstrating the material's capacity for larger, more functional designs. These creations collectively redefine the potential of wood in design, merging the natural beauty of the material with cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to produce furniture that is both aesthetically pleasing and remarkably adaptive. #FlexibleWood #FurnitureDesign #CarolienLaro #MilanDesignWeek #WoodworkingInnovation #CNCmilling #ProductDesign #ArchitecturalMaterials #SustainableDesign

Raised panels, a common feature in solid wood doors, furniture, and architectural detailing, are widely perceived as decorative elements. However, woodworker Rex Krueger explains that their origin is rooted in functionality, addressing the natural behavior of wood. Wood is susceptible to expansion, contraction, and warping due to changes in temperature and humidity. While nails can help mitigate these changes in furniture by allowing slight flex, a large, unanchored piece of wood, such as a door panel or chest lid, will inevitably become misshapen over time. Early woodworkers recognized this challenge and devised a solution by incorporating panels within a frame. This design allowed them to create a door or lid with a smaller, central piece of wood (the panel) that sat loosely within grooves in a surrounding frame. The frame, being connected at its four corners, maintained its structural integrity, while the loosely fitted panel was free to expand and contract without compromising the overall shape or functionality of the piece. This innovative approach prevented the wood from warping and ensured the longevity of their creations. Initially, these panels were flat, and the grooves in the frame were cut to accommodate their thin edges. To enhance durability, woodworkers began using thicker panels. To fit these thicker panels into the existing frame grooves, they started shaving down the edges, a technique that led to the development of beveling. In its nascent stages, this beveling was purely functional and not aesthetically refined. However, the resulting visual interest and sophisticated appearance prompted woodworkers to standardize and neaten the beveling process, making it a deliberate design choice. Over time, a distinct edge was added to further enhance the beveled appearance, leading to the ubiquitous style seen today. While contemporary raised panel doors often utilize materials other than solid wood, the aesthetic appeal of these panels persists. The reason for their continued popularity extends beyond simply breaking up a flat surface; the angles of the beveling interact with light, creating intricate shadows and reflections that produce a visually rich and appealing range of shades and colors. Rex Krueger's video, which elucidates this historical and functional aspect of raised panels, has garnered significant attention, with 1.2 million views in its first week. The widespread positive reception and comments indicate that this information has surprised and fascinated many viewers. The audience's reactions highlight a shared appreciation for discovering the practical origins behind commonplace design elements, transforming what might seem ordinary into something extraordinary. This blend of historical context, functional design, and aesthetic evolution underscores the ingenuity of traditional woodworking and its lasting impact on modern design. #Woodworking #RaisedPanels #ArchitecturalDetails #WoodDesign #HomeImprovement #HistoricalTrivia #DesignHistory #FunctionalDesign

This article showcases six distinct interior design projects by local Rochester designers, highlighting their unique approaches to transforming living spaces. Each project demonstrates how designers blend client needs with creative vision to achieve functional and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Bob Breissinger, owner of Designers Library, details a kitchen remodel in a Perinton ranch house. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, prompting a complete overhaul. Breissinger's team removed soffits, gutted the room, and eliminated a wall between the dining room and den to create an open floor plan. This transformation allowed for two islands, a 36-inch stove, a prep sink, and various ovens. White perimeter cabinets, white and amber-gray granite counters, and glass-fronted, lit cabinets contribute to a light and airy feel. Walnut-stained oak floors were matched to existing den floors, creating a cohesive look. The project dramatically changed the home's feel and functionality, making it ideal for cooking and entertaining. Ayse Lewis, an interior designer based in Canandaigua and Rochester, shares her personal project: an 800-square-foot cottage on Canandaigua Lake that she transformed into a 2,000-square-foot, two-story home. Lewis, who always envisioned living on a boat, retained the original footprint due to legal requirements but maximized the lake views with numerous windows. Her design features a non-traditional nautical theme, incorporating colors from nature with touches of red and black. The master bedroom offers spectacular views, with a black-and-white zigzag rug evoking waves and pinkish-yellow lighting creating a sunset ambiance. The all-white, open-plan kitchen takes advantage of the lake views, designed to let natural outdoor colors infuse the space. Lewis emphasizes meaningful design that balances aesthetics with practicality, especially for a home frequently visited by grandchildren. Margit Jacobson, an interior designer and senior project manager at Leighton Design Group, discusses designing a grandchildren's suite in a Canandaigua Lake house. This project creatively utilized existing architectural elements like a pickled-wood ceiling, wood floors, and sloped roof angles to create specialized children's spaces. Jacobson focused on making the room functional and whimsical. She designed a reading nook with a daybed and open storage in a corner, alongside Dutch doors concealing a playroom. A built-in desk with a continuous paper scroll for art projects and a metal board above it offers creative outlets. The closet was converted into a nursery with wallpaper, built-in storage, and a chandelier, transforming it into a magical space. Jacobson highlights the satisfaction of seeing children actively engage with the room as intended. Robin Muto, owner of Robin Muto Interiors, addresses the challenge of merging disparate aesthetic preferences of a husband and wife in a Pittsford home. Muto, an interior and lighting designer, navigated the couple's preference for French Country (feminine) and industrial urban (masculine) styles. Through inspiration photos, she discovered common ground in the color gray and a rustic, warm aesthetic. The project, a whole-house interior design completed in two phases, prioritized the family room as a stylistic anchor. Muto opted for simplicity, focusing on color and texture rather than elaborate patterns. Elements like plain natural linen drapes, a traditional English sofa in linen velvet, a shabby-chic linen sofa, an industrial coffee table ottoman, and burgundy chairs were combined to create a handsome yet inviting space that satisfied both partners. Heather DeMoras, from Heather DeMoras Design Consultants, recounts the renovation of a 1901 Queen Anne home in Canandaigua. The goal was to preserve its Victorian charm while updating it for modern living. DeMoras conducted extensive research to ensure period appropriateness, incorporating Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles for a more casual feel. Period hardware, lighting from Historic Houseparts, and Bradbury & Bradbury wall coverings were selected, with colors inspired by the home's stained-glass windows. The kitchen was expanded by integrating the butler's pantry and a smoking room, featuring hidden appliances and custom cherry cupboards. Bathrooms incorporated Carrara marble, hand-painted subway tile, and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. In the bedroom, a fabric matching the wall-covering was used for curtains around a bay window, creating a cohesive and anchored look. Jason Longo, founder of JDL Design, shares a career-defining project with a client in Henrietta. This client, a positive and resilient woman, sought a light, efficient, and eco-friendly home with warm colors after her husband's passing. Longo, who went full-time with his design company around this time, collaborated closely with her. The project involved improving the entry by creating a foyer and separating it from the new dining room (originally the living room) with a wall. The great room became the new living room. Longo reconfigured windows, added walls, and installed a flat wall of windows with an alcove in the dining room, alongside built-ins and an arch-top alcove. In the living room, square windows were replaced with a small arched window above a tiled fireplace, flanked by new windows. The client's trust allowed for significant structural changes. Longo reflects on her profound impact, as she validated his work and inspired him, even as she battled terminal cancer during the project's completion. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #KitchenRemodel #LakesideLiving #ChildrensRoomDesign #VictorianHome #DesignChallenges #ClientRelationships #SpaceTransformation