PERSONALIZATION: Most importantly, you will be working with me in all aspects of a project. I strive for a professional yet casual and comfortable relationship where communication is clear and efficient. Face to face meetings are ideal but email and online collaborative tools are a close second. You will be kept in the loop as much or as little as you wish.

FIRST STEPS / EARLY SKETCHES: This process typically begins with an exchange of sketches and images to convey the aesthetic you wish to see in a finished piece. I often suggest a search on Google Images to jumpstart this process and get ideas flowing. In addition we’ll discuss functional needs, dimensions, wood species, etc. I’ll visit the space if possible to get a better feel of the context where a piece will eventually live. In this preliminary stage I will typically request a small deposit to secure a place in my schedule.

BUDGET: A sense of budget is critical before we move forward. My approach to design, choice of joinery and materials will be driven by a rough budget or cost-not-to-exceed that we establish early on. This will help the overall cost stay comfortably within expectations.

COLLABORATION and REFINEMENT: Once I have a sense of design and budget constraints, I’m ready to begin the design process in earnest. I work with a 3D drawing program where I create dynamic views of a design which can be reviewed over email or in person. I can easily share ‘live’ views of a design through screen sharing and video communication tools like Zoom. This creative and fluid workflow allows the client to see exactly where a design is at any given point. Ideas can be experimented with, discarded or developed further.

FINAL DESIGN APPROVAL: The final drawings I create allow a customer to know with confidence what they are getting and what it will cost well before the sawdust begins to fly. These drawings become my shop drawings. Typically I will ask for a 30-50% deposit once a design is agreed upon.

FINALLY THE SAWDUST! The real work takes place in my woodworking studio on Lummi Island. Meticulously laid plans are manifest into a physical object. Sometimes I'll find the need to adjust design on the fly due to the nature of the materials or simply because a proportion or line doesn't look quite right to my eye. Rest assured, any deviation from our plan will be discussed. I always welcome a client to visit and see a work in progress. I'm also happy to share progress through photos if a trip to Lummi Island isn’t possible.

DELIVERY: Getting a piece of furniture from Lummi Island to your home can be time consuming and expensive. For the most peace of mind, I will personally deliver if the destination is within a few hours drive. Alternatively, crating and shipping via freight or blanket wrap carriers are good options. There is always a way! The final payment will be requested upon delivery and your total satisfaction.