by Adam King on June 11, 2009
“There exists the yearn for beauty within everyone. To define that beauty is a learning process in 
which one discovers and reflects upon one’s primary honor.” - from Yanagi Soetsu’s essay On Collecting
When you’re involved in the art world, inevitably, people ask the same questions. “How did you get started? Where did you go to school? What do you make?”
These are asked of me quite often, but the one question that almost never comes up:
“Why Japanese inspired furniture?”
It’s no secret that Oriental and specifically, Japanese design has influenced Western culture for centuries. Beginning around the time of the Italian Renaissance, the demand for art, furniture, and textiles from the Far East grew until around the 1700’s the demand became mainstream in décor.
Of course, the Arts and Crafts movement had its roots grounded in Japanese aesthetics and design principles. Frank Lloyd Wright himself was indeed inspired by these elements. In fact, he was an obsessed collector of Japanese woodblock prints, making several trips to Japan to further the collection.
The appeal for the pioneers of the Arts and Crafts movement wasn’t just the aesthetic, as was the case for the 18th century collectors. It actually began at the heart of Japanese design. The foundational principles that govern Japanese design were ideals that resonated deep within these designers and architects, and guided these individuals as they produced homes, furnishings, and also a way of life that has carried through into this century.
Early on in my woodworking education, I looked to the designs and ideas of the Arts and Crafts style for influence and inspiration. As I dug deeper into the history of the movement, however, I discovered an aesthetic and philosophical foundation that I was already familiar with.
My first exposure to Asian culture came on Christmas Day 1978. (That’s me in the middle.) A simple gift of a robe from my aunt who had returned from Japan and China was all it took. At around age 6,
Yeah, that's me in the middle.
I began to go to great lengths (and still do) to learn anything and everything about the culture, the art, and the history. It was anything and everything Japanese, all the time. I even took Japanese as a language in high school. So, naturally when I started my journey into furniture making, I began to turn to my intense interest in Japanese culture and design for my inspiration.
Purposeful restraint, quiet elegance, and integrity of technique are just a few of the ideals that I actively seek to project with my work. Each piece is designed and crafted to function beyond its obvious purpose by bringing peace and tranquility to the space in which it inhabits. This idea has always been at the heart of Japanese design – a marriage of the physical with the spiritual. Each element of the piece functioning in unison as a whole. The literal details communicating the ideals and convictions behind its creation. The end result being a work of art that is created to simply enhance your existence.
So, why does no one ask the question, “Why Japanese inspired furniture?” Maybe they aren’t interested. Maybe they don’t care for the design. Maybe they just don’t care, period.
Perhaps it’s a question they don’t need to ask. Perhaps there is something within the inherent simplicity of Japanese aesthetics that speaks to people in a very unconscious but purposeful way. Perhaps these principles of design convey an unspoken understanding of completion, simplicity, and harmony which most everyone can grasp.
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris
by Adam King on June 10, 2009
When people discover what I do, they are naturally very curious. 
I get the usual questions about where I studied, how I got into furniture making, what I make, etc. When I begin to elaborate on the subject, I almost always receive a look that seems to communicate some skepticism. This is the point where they either lose interest completely, or they throw down the challenge for me to justify my existence as a studio furniture maker.
“What is studio furniture and why would I need it when I can go buy furniture from the store?”
Good question. In my About Page, you’ll see that I come from a line of retail furniture store owners. In fact our family retail furniture business has been a pillar in the community for over 80 years! I’m not against purchasing furniture from a retail store. In fact, my desk chair, my bed, my couch; all of these came from our store. So, if we can get all the furniture we need from a store, then why would we need to even consider having a craftsman design and build a custom piece of studio furniture?
What is Studio Furniture?
Studio furniture is defined as:
“one-of-a-kind or limited production furniture objects designed and built by craftspeople. The work is made in a craftperson’s studio setting as opposed to being made in a high volume factory.”
Simply put, studio furniture is individually designed and crafted by skilled artists in a very intimate studio, or workshop setting. It’s this detail that sets studio furniture apart from all the rest. What’s the distinction? The Human Element.
In a factory you have many people and many machines cranking out piece after piece. Yes, human hands are part of the process, but the intimate connection is lost between maker and material. Studio furniture, however, is a result of that connection. The hands, eyes, intellect, soul, and spirit are all tools used by the craftsman to make the piece, and therefore are also hallmarks of quality studio furniture.
Why Do I Need It?
As I mentioned earlier, I am not opposed to factory furniture in our lives. I own some myself. The fact is, for most of us, it isn’t feasible to furnish our entire home with one-of-a-kind hand crafted pieces. (For the few that can, please feel free to contact me!)
However, we all look for objects to place in our homes that reflect our ideas, style, philosophies, and beliefs. We look for pieces that communicate something to us on an emotional level. Whether we are aware of it or not, we seek a connection that bridges the gap between us and our possessions. This is where studio furniture comes in.
From start to finish, studio furniture is designed, built, and finished exclusively by human hands. Since it is so intimately formed, quality studio furniture resonates with the passion, spirit, philosophy, and character of its maker. When we connect with such a piece on these levels we are instantly bonded not only to the piece itself, but to the maker as well.
Studio furniture is there to stand alone as a precious object of personal meaning and distinction. It exists to enhance the style and mood of any room and decor. When you have that “special piece” crafted for your home, you not only receive a piece that will last for generations, you will also receive the emotional satisfaction that transcends generations.
by Adam King on May 25, 2009
So, you’re thinking about purchasing a piece of hand crafted studio furniture. Whether you’re buying from some available pieces or having one custom made, the process can seem confusing and perhaps a bit overwhelming. Good news! It doesn’t have to be.
Here are three things to consider before you spend all of that hard earned money on a beautiful piece of finely crafted studio furniture.
Your personal style:
What style do you seem to gravitate towards? Do you live in a period style home, or does your interior reflect a particular design style? When looking for a custom piece of furniture for your home, it’s important to keep in mind the style that is prominent in your home, or in the particular room in which the furniture will reside.
Too many times, people have come to me AFTER purchasing a piece somewhere else, and realized it didn’t fit at all with their existing style. Even if you consider yourself an eclectic collector, take the time to examine what you already have in the house. This will give you a starting point in selecting a piece that will blend with and even enhance the space in which it will live.
The style of the maker:
Now that you have an idea of your personal style preferences, it’s time to match that up with a designer/craftsman whose work reflects those preferences.
Why is this important?
When looking at a maker and their portfolio, it’s important to see where their style and yours meet. A studio furniture maker specializing in 18th century reproductions does indeed have the skill to make you something that reflects Mid-Century Modern, but why would you ask them to do that when there are other makers who do specialize in Mid-Century Modern.
If you browse my portfolio, you’ll see that my work draws heavily from Japanese influences. In the past, though, I used to take almost every commission that came through the door. Most clients weren’t interested in my design input let alone what style my work reflected. They just saw me as a guy that could build whatever they needed.
That resulted in me doing work that wasn’t interesting or fulfilling to me and kept me from putting my whole self into these pieces.
Now, it’s not the customers fault. They knew I was a woodworker that could do custom work for them. I simply failed to distinguish that I was adept at working within a particular style.
When you pick a maker whose style is in line with yours you’ll not only own a piece that is in harmony with your style and home, you’ll also own a piece that reflects the maker’s spirit. This results in a deeper connection between you and your new piece of studio furniture.
Standard of quality:
Once you have your style and the maker’s style in sync, you should look carefully at how the piece is made.
What are your expectations, or standards of quality when it comes to hand-crafted furniture? Does personal expression and style win out over construction methods? Are you looking for a piece that will last as an heirloom for centuries? Your expectations about the piece will help guide you in picking the right maker with the right standards of quality.
Not all high-end studio furniture will have hand-cut dovetails and carvings. There are many methods of construction that will last for generations that are appropriate for the style of the piece. Take the time to look carefully at the maker’s methods of construction. Do they prefer to mass produce their pieces or do they favor hand tool methods and techniques?
For starters, look at their About page, or any page that describes their methods. It should give a brief, but clear description about how they prefer to build their work. If possible, examine other pieces from the maker, or talk to the maker directly about how they build and why they choose their particular methods of construction. As long as your expectations and standards meet up with those of the maker, you’ll have a peace of mind that is priceless.
A brief description of my standards of quality can be found here , but if you have any further questions, feel free to contact me.
Owning a piece of finely crafted, high end studio furniture can be an investment for yourself and for future generations. Take the time now to examine these three considerations, and you’ll have a pleasant and fulfilling experience when purchasing your piece of studio furniture.
by Adam King on May 16, 2009
This question is asked of me quite a bit. In today’s mass – produced and
over – consumed existence, it is sometimes hard to separate, in one’s mind, hand made goods from the rest of the bunch. People are not always clear on what really defines fine craft from the things they purchase at big box stores. Seriously. I encounter this quandary on a regular basis as I seek to educate the general public to these differences.
There are many schools of thought pertaining to this question. Some would say fine furniture is made entirely by hand, while others would argue that it is in the design and aesthetics of the piece that elevates it to this lofty level. Some even conclude that it must be an authentic reproduction of the past to be considered fine furniture. The definitions and opinions vary as much as the people who express them. So, is there a way to put the debate to rest? Can the parameters of fine furniture be clearly and concisely stated once and for all? Maybe. Maybe not. In fact it’s not my place to even try. What I present here are simply the observations and opinions of a simple craftsman seeking to help change the mind set of a society that has lost touch with the fine and simple things of life. So, what, in my opinion, elevates a piece to being considered, “fine furniture?”
The first thing is to consider the piece as a whole.
Look at the overall design. It’s been a trend, lately, in mainstream mass – produced furniture to combine a multitude of stylistic references and haphazardly slapped on molding in an effort to create some sort of “elegance.” All that’s being accomplished there is mass confusion! A well designed piece, takes everything into consideration. The style that the piece seeks to reflect will be enhanced by careful wood selection, the proportion of all of its parts, the inclusion of certain details as well as the exclusion of others. Even the hinges and handles must exist cohesively with the piece. Every aspect of fine furniture down to the smallest detail is brought together in a delicate and harmonious balance. Without this, you simply have an item.
The next thing to consider are the details.
Observe the minute characteristics that make the piece stand out from the crowd. Are the aprons joined to the legs tightly? Do those cabinet doors close with ease and have an even reveal around them? Were the drawers constructed with well – executed joinery? These things separate good from great. Fine Furniture does not always exhibit hand cut dovetails and Newport Shell carvings. What I’m describing is a sensitive approach to the “small” things that make up the whole. Careful, thoughtful, and deliberate execution of proper techniques that result in a piece that quietly tells its story with the simple elegance of all its details.
Lastly, consider the maker.
Who made the piece? What are their guiding principles and philosophies within the craft? Why do they choose to build the way they do? What are their chosen methods of design and construction? Like it or not, the very core of our being is communicated through our work. When we make something with our God – given instruments of the hands, the eyes, and the mind, we include our thoughts, our beliefs, and our heart in that work. Instead of denying it, a maker of fine furniture embraces it and seeks to enhance it. To this maker, each piece is a small gift of their ability, their love, their passion. It is a gift of their true self. This is what truly elevates fine furniture from all else.
Well, these are just brief glimpses into what could become a never – ending discourse on the subject, but I hope to have begun to shed some light on what puts the “fine” in “fine furniture.”
