Monticello Lap Desk
In 1776, Thomas Jefferson commissioned Benjamin Randolph, a Philadelphia cabinetmaker, to build a compact lap desk to serve as a portable office. This small mahogany box, now prominently [...]
Bo’s Cabinet
As the old saying goes, sometimes you have to learn to walk before you can run. That’s certainly been true in my career as a cabinetmaker: I’ve tried to learn the basics on small [...]
Design Matters: Brooke Smith
Bob Erickson Interview
While visiting with chairmaker Bob Erickson (pictured above with his son Tor), it seems appropriate to ask, “What chair are you sitting in right now?” He explains it’s an [...]
Medieval Folding Stool
Have you ever heard of a “faldstool?” You’ve probably seen one in a movie that’s set in Medieval or Renaissance times—it’s the distinctive portable chair that a [...]
Shop Interview: Russell Gale
Is there life after running your own professional furniture shop? Absolutely, says Russell Gale in Part 2 of my series on different kinds of furniture makers.
Varieties of Woodworkers, Part 1: Amateur and Professional
How do you differentiate between varieties of furnituremakers? Here's the preliminary take on how I do.