Designing and building a custom piece of furniture is the most interesting, challenging, and enjoyable part of my job.  Here are several tips for anyone desiring such a service from me:
 

1. Dimensions.  Know how long, wide, and tall you want the piece to be.  Measure the space that the piece will occupy in your home.
 

2. Design. Form a clear picture in your mind of what you want the piece to look like.  Part of my job is to sit down with you and make sketches and fine-tune the design to meet your wishes, but the better your initial conception of the design, the easier this process will be.  If you would like me to make something similar to an existing piece of furniture, photographs of the piece (or even better, the piece itself) are very helpful.
 

3. Cost.  Know what you want to spend.  I will do my best to develop a design and select materials that fit your budget.  I will also be honest with you if I do not think I can do the job for the amount you wish to pay.  In general my work is not inexpensive, but my workmanship is sound and you can be certain that a piece I build will last your lifetime and beyond.
 
 

Face-to-face contact is best when I work with a customer; however, I have successfully designed and built pieces for customers in other cities, corresponding by phone and e-mail and sending design sketches by fax.
 

Of course, I specialize in a certain style of furniture, and may lack the tools and expertise to work in some other styles or to build on a large scale.  Asking me to build a Baroque-style armchair, for instance, is like asking a dermatologist to perform a heart transplant.  I will be honest if I feel I cannot perform exactly the job you want, and if possible, I will refer you to a craftsman who can.
 
 

A customer who commissions my services is paying me the highest possible compliment, and the faith he places in me is something I take very seriously.  I promise my most earnest efforts in creating a piece you will cherish for a lifetime.