My Poor Review
6' Wide x 12' Long Rustic Table top for a client's existing table base. The client requested a 'staggered plank' pine table top built in sections for their existing metal table base that was 4' wide and 11' long. He wanted a multi-colored 'reclaimed patchwork' appearance and asked me to use 3/4" pine. I suggested that for a table that large, it should be built on frames to give it additional stability and a 1.5" thick edge. The client agreed. I then sent him images of a panel with the multi color look he had requested, which frankly, I didn't like the looks of. He then decided to have me finish the panels in an aged gray stain, which I did. As a result, I had unused paints and stains and also had to buy the new gray stain which he had requested. I re-sanded and refinished the original panel and finished the other panels all at no additional cost to the client. When it was time to install, the client whom I had dealt with was out of town and it was clear from the moment we arrived that his wife had no interest in either the existing table base, nor the top that had been built for it. As we were finishing the install, she complained that food crumbs would get in the gaps of the boards. Even though the staggered plank design had been requested, the joints were extremely tight and the small gaps between some of the panels were filled and stained (see close up images). She complained about the smell of the stain and when I spoke to her husband on the phone he suggested that 'for my trouble' I take the entire table including the large base that would never have fit in my vehicle and sell it. At that point, I realized that any additional effort to please this client would be wasting additional time and money, so I packed up my tools as my assistant thoroughly cleaned the hardwood floor of the sawdust and metal shavings from drilling out the table base for the installation. By the way, did I mention that this was a 'rush' job, 500 miles away and that to accommodate this client, I delivered on a weekend? I suggest that you examine the photos, read my other reviews and judge for yourself.
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I started designing and crafting custom furniture for clients over forty years ago as a teenager in my father's garage. After thirty-five years in international business; I have returned to my roots. I work with a variety of hardwoods including; oak, walnut, maple, mahogany and metals including steel, stainless steel and copper.
My designs are not for everyone, but if you were looking for conventional, cheap and temporary, you'd be browsing the IKEA website.
My clients don't buy furniture, they adopt functional art. My privilege is to reveal the next life of the once living tree. I start with the wood and often use the pieces others would avoid. What others see as flaws that would slow production, I see as character that deserves to be celebrated.
I subscribe to the idea of "Japanese Quality" derived from Total Quality Management. In this context there are two kinds of quality:
Atarimae hinshitsu and Miryokuteki hinshitsu.
Atarimae hinshitsu（当 たり前品質） - The idea that things will work as they are supposed to (e.g. a pen will write). It is the functional requirement.
Miryokuteki hinshitsu （魅 力的品質）- The idea that things should have an aesthetic quality which is different from "atarimae hinshitsu" (e.g. a pen will write in a way that is pleasing to the writer, and leave behind ink that is pleasing to the reader).
I encourage you to view my designs while knowing I would love an opportunity to craft something especially for you.
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