The Vintage Pioneer line is constructed using solid knotty alder wood. The furniture of this line is inspired by antique designs that pioneers would have brought with them to settle the western frontier, or would have made after they arrived. This furniture is made using antiquing techniques to make it look hundreds of years old. Old fashioned square headed “cut” nails and forged iron hardware are used to help accomplish this look.

The Mission line is constructed using quarter sawn white oak. Quarter sawn is a method of sawing the log so the cut is made parallel to the wood’s grain instead of across. This special cut yields a limited number of top grade boards, takes much longer to dry and therefore is in high demand.

Cutting the log in this manner reveals the distinctive medullary rays otherwise known as “ray flake” that is unique only to the oak species. This cut also results in stock that is very stable. Quarter sawn lumber does not shrink or cup nearly to the extent that plain sawn lumber does. This is why it is common to find antiques hundreds of years old made of quarter sawn oak. (click image for detail)

All of the furniture I make, Mission and Vintage Pioneer, is built using the most durable construction techniques used in cabinet making. This is not furniture that is mass produced. Each piece is made one at a time, to the best of my ability. I am so sure of the quality of construction and craftsmanship that each piece is initialed and dated.

Only the best materials are used from quarter sawn white oak or solid alder to the finest finish materials available today. There are no shortcuts. This is truly furniture that becomes an heirloom. What else can you buy today that will last a lifetime?