Materials

Solid Wood

There are literally 100’s of choices of wood species; domestic and exotic. The choice is yours, but I’m more than happy to guide you through the process. I often use a wood species that has been salvaged from construction sites or are cut into lumber only after the tree dies from natural causes. The rest of the wood I use is almost always FSC certified. It’s important to me that the wood I use is harvested in a renewable manner.

Veneer

Often associated with cheaper, "disposable" furniture, veneer is largely misunderstood. This is tragic. Almost always the most highly figured and beautiful trees are cut into veneer. When used properly, veneers can be cut and adhered to surfaces to create dramatic effects. Different species of veneer can be used in one piece to create contrast and a pleasing color match. There’s no reason why furniture made with veneer won’t last centuries, just like solid wood.

There is an almost infinite number of species available in veneer form. Veneers are often available with highly figured grain - burls, curly figure, birds eye figure, pomelle, crotches, blistered, etc.

Hand-Made Japanese Paper

There are thousands of styles, weights and colors of paper available today. I prefer Japanese paper made completely by hand. Many hand-made papers are made by only one family in Japan, and only exist because that family has been creating the paper for generations. "Washi", as the Japanese call it, is infinitely stronger than regular Western-style paper and consistently stands up to everyday use. The styles and colours range greatly; from traditional designs and scripts to translucent paper with bamboo leaves inside.

I generally use hand-made Japanese paper in one of three ways: 1) In front of a light source to create a warm, beautiful atmosphere, 2) attached to a door frame (shoji screens and door panels) or 3) adhered to a substrate as ornamentation to compliment the natural beauty of wood.

Copper

The warmth, strength and beauty of copper makes it one of my favourite materials to work with. One of the softest, most pliable metals, copper starts off bright and shiny but darkens with time. The type of finish that’s applied to the copper’s surface determines how much it will age.

The surface of copper can be hammered to create a dimpled effect and a number of different treatments can be applied to the surface to alter the final colour.

Stainless Steel

I use laser-cut stainless steel for panels in some of the furniture I make. I find the designs, often a direct pattern from the natural world, help soften this hard, durable material. By placing a wood panel behind the laser-cut steel, the contrast between soft and hard, warm and cold elements are highlighted. I do all the design work myself. As a result, these stainless steel panels can be custom laser-cut to include whatever design you choose.

Rock

Rock slabs come in many different sizes, shapes, colours and textures, and it’s these variables that keep me hooked. When rock and wood are used together, the combination is striking. Rocks can be sandblasted and worked to a desired shape, or can be left largely in their natural state.