I'm following my dream, for the 2nd time.

Creating beautiful things from wood has been my passion for 18+ years.  I feel so fortunate to have been given this opportunity by so many fantastic clients.  The years have yielded so many wonderful projects.  Here are a few of my faves:

                                           

But alas, artists are never satisfied for long.  So, in my mid 30's I became passionate about sustainable farming and homesteading.  It started with joining a CSA and learning about the fragility of our current food and economic system.  As my knowledge grew, I felt that I needed to get back to the country, back to my roots. 

After 13 years in Philly, I moved back to Chamberburg, Pa. and my boyhood home.  A friend graciously offered some of her unused farmland and I got started.  I broke ground in the spring on a parcel of overgrown pasture that hadn't been farmed in 30 or so years. 

Thus, Long Lane Farm was created. https://www.facebook.com/longlanefarmatduffield
The CSA model seemed like a no brainer and I went for it.  My previous experience as a business owner gave me the confidence to throw caution to the wind and dive in.

Now, I'm looking back at a successful first season! 

 I made alot of mistakes, but had many more successes.  I found out that if you plan for abundance, that's exactly what you'll get!  The satisfaction of feeding people and yourself is very similar to the satisfaction that I've always derived from furniture making.

As the growing season wound down, the furniture making season wound up.  Now, I'm back in the woodshop, making sawdust for the compost pile-a very symbiotic relationship!

Coming Soon, Chickens!

No man (or woman) is an island...

 Check out this beautiful island!

  I used cherry for the cabinet body and maple for the drawers and pullouts.  

The loft had exposed pine beams, so I used reclaimed pine for the top. 

 The bar top is a natural edge piece of cherry, as well.  The stainless steel bar top brackets were custom made and reflected other stainless steel elements in the kitchen.

Nice!

 

I made this!

 

 I laminated thin strips of walnut together to form the arched skirts boards of the table.  4  Spalted maple skirt boards connected the interior circle.  The chairs were walnut with laminated, spalted maple, book matched backs.  The decorative maple pegging was proud of the surface, which looked awesome.  A glass top sits upon the table frame.

Things That Haven't Been Made, Yet....

                 The original intention was to use the reclaimed pine beams, but any thick stock will do.

                                         Perhaps, one day, the right person will come along.....

                                                                        

Can crushin!

Just another productive day in the shop!

13th Street, Philadelphia, Pa

It started with a surprise call from our future client who was looking for a dining table.  The ensuing relationship produced a magnificent table and many more beautiful works.   

The arched legs were fabricated utilizing the technique of bent lamination. We bent the thin strips white oak around a form.  Once the glue dries, it creates a very strong and stable leg.

From there we continued to design wonderful pieces for this home.  

Next was a monolithic, floating concrete vanity with an integrated sink.  Made with GFRC, a sprayable concrete, it only weighed about 50lbs!  Sleek and modern with an earthy, touchable feel.

After that, we salvaged, refined, and installed 3 floors of reclaimed pine stair treads.


    An oak wine rack...                              A bamboo and oak coat rack...
 

    A couple of reclaimed pine steps...


    And a reclaimed pine minimalist bed.