PHILOSOPHY
Building furniture is something I’ve always wanted to do. I worked in framing and trim carpentry with my dad for years. I liked building things but found that I liked the detail work the best – making it fit right and work right. In March of 2017, I started my own company in a little storage unit that only had two outlets. I had the investment of a few close friends, the support of my wife, and few enough tools that they all fit in the bed of my truck!
Originally, I was mostly working with barnwood. I liked the idea of repurposing - or resawing - old wood. I have since expanded, but the name “Resawn Furniture” stuck. Now my work includes Walnut, Oak, Cherry, and other wood that grows locally as I also mill my own lumber. Many of my projects are done using traditional joinery with traditional hand tools, though I do have a collection of vintage power tools as well. Using hand joinery adds to the longevity of the piece.
Inspiration for my pieces typically comes from the individual piece of wood I am working with. It also comes from client vision as I take ideas and turn them into concrete objects. Sometimes inspiration comes from people wanting a statement piece or something that nobody else is going to have. Sometimes it comes from trying to match something or pulling in design details from other rooms and pieces in the home. What matters is the individuality of the piece.
My goal is to make furniture that can be handed down and that will look timeless for generations to come. I am not designing for a current trend, but truly handcrafting.
- Ben Nahlen