Legacy Dining Chair
This chair has become the signature piece of my furniture line and epitomizes my design style. It is available in either cherry or walnut. When ordered in sets, the chairs are made from the same log flitch so the color and grain pattern are true throughout the set. The cantilever design provides an uncluttered appearance when the chairs surround the table. Beyond the design, the chair sells well because of its comfort. One's body seems to snug into the curved back and relax. The cantilever engineering is borrowed from George Nakashima, but the lines are a reflection of the rest of my collection.
At shows, when people sit in this chair for the first time, their faces are overcome first with surprise, and then ecstasy.
Long-time member
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Fast shipper
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
Great service
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
I am a studio furniture maker in Santa Barbara, California and my design style is influenced by Japanese calligraphy and sumi-e painting. My furniture can be considered functional sculpture and is primarily made with North American hardwoods (walnut, cherry, maple, and hickory). Most of my work is commissioned, but I do have a few pieces available for immediate sale. A number of my pieces feature a live-edge (natural edge). The live edge work is more refined and elegant than what is normally encountered.
When people decide to work with me, they have made a choice to not just simply buy a piece of furniture. The process involves relationship. When a fine maker creates a furniture piece, something of their spirit is imbued in that piece. This maker is also preserving and enhancing the spirit of the tree and its roots in the soil. The client is choosing to live with that vision and spirit for many years and the client should be able to look at the piece every day with a smile. A client works with me not simply because the furniture piece fills a need or is the right price. They choose one of my pieces because of the nature of the relationships involved between the tree, maker, and client.
My work has been featured multiple times with American Craft Council shows, the Philadelphia Museum of Art craft show, and the Smithsonian craft show. The work exists at the upper end of studio furniture in this country and is priced commensurately.
DDaniella
For Slab Bed4.8john’s a real craftsman and this bed was made several years ago but is designed beautifully and was very strong and solid. He also added beautiful detailing.
- CR
Corey Raffel
For Natural Edge Writing Table / Desk5.0I am very satisfied with the desk made for me by John Spivey. John was very easy to work with. We had a rapid exchange of information regarding what I wanted and what he could do. He was careful to be sure that all questions and issues were answered prior to starting, which assured that the desk would be just what I wanted. I had an unusual problem with the office for the desk being located up a narrow flight of stairs. John was able to solve this issue by making the desk in pieces that could then be assembled once the desk was in the final location. He also gave me some extra finish for the desk, should it ever be needed. I have no hesitation in asking John to do another project for me.
- MH
Mary Helen Immordino
For Live Edge Coffee Table4.8The tables were a major project that we had saved for for some time, and they turned out beautifully! John worked with us during each step to decide how to make something aesthetic and timeless that would fit our tastes and needs. Thank you, John!
- AV
Armando Valdes-Kennedy
For Bedroom Deresser4.7The furniture piece John hand built for me is beautiful and original. The quality and craftsmanship is top notch. I am looking at it right now- it is a captivating sculpture in wood. I designed it, John added his own signature style and details, the result is an enduring functional artwork.
- CB
Christopher Bentley
For Bar Top In Santos Mahogany5.0John Spivey is a true craftsman and artist. We chose cherry wood with a natural edge. It is absolutely gorgeous! John is a talented, kind and wise man who cares not only about what he is working with but who. We are looking for other reasons to have him create another masterpiece for us! We highly recommend him. He is a gem!
- MT
Mark Tache
For Dining room table base Project5.0This was my first experience with CustomMade. Working with John was terrific and he provided excellent guidance through the process, from planning all the way through delivery... first class! He is a master craftsman and I will definitely use him again as well as CustomMade. You are providing a great service for all the talented artists.
- SS
Susan Swannack-Nunn
For Nakashima-Inspired Conoid Chair5.0Craftsmanship superb, communications clear, timely execution. Beautiful artistic chair which works well in modern or traditional/eclectic decor.
- L
Laura
For Live Edge Dining Table5.0John Spivey is master craftsman who provides gracious customer service. He was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. Very communicative and eager to please. Responsive to my design interests but also providing his design expertise. He sent pics of the table along the way and personally delivered and assembled the table in my home showing great care and attentiveness to every detail. I would recommend him highly and wouldn't hesitate to work with him again!
DHDoug Hess
For Figured maple (or other figured wood) end table5.0John's end table arrived just before a house warming and it was the center of attention in the room (from a very discriminating audience). I couldn't be happier with it. John also communicated with me in detail every step of the way and consulted with me on a few points, educating me in the process about the options. Shipping was impressively carefully handled and included precise instructions on uncrating the table and its care. I would not hesitate to buy from this maker again.
- AA
Alice and James
For Living Room and Dining Room Furniture5.0John designed and made for us a beautiful cherry wood cabinet in which to store our CD’s and DVD’s. The flow of the lines and the delicate patterns he was able to find in the wood make a remarkable piece that is both elegant and functional. And his chairs, of which we have 8, are absolutely amazing. The design is modern with a shape so stunning that you think it defies the laws of physics. Yet you are held in complete comfort in an exquisite chair that is itself a work of art. John was a joy to work with. He involved us in the process from start to finish and was very sensitive to our needs. We found him to be highly professional, honest, straightforward, meticulous, and a craftsman of uncommon skill and vision. He produces heirloom-quality furniture that is worth every penny. Alice and James
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