I grew up in Colesville, Maryland and was introduced to architecture and design at an early age by my father, a renowned Washington architect. I was greatly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, the works of architects Henry and Charles Greene, Art Nouveau and the surroundings of the native land I grew up in.
Since 1978, my mission within the current revival of the Arts & Crafts movement is to provide a new lifestyle of forms related to the Arts & Crafts “mission” style of the past but not a reproduction of that past. Reproducing a past work is just that - a reproduction of the past, not a revival. I believe I can only be part of the revival if I express myself in my work and reflect my style along with the past style. My goal is to keep furniture design alive and exciting. Furniture design should change with the needs of the customer and always expand all levels of appreciation. However, I am not a fan of design changes for no reason; in fact I am opposed to designs without an implied direction or a connection to art.
These new forms are inspired by all of those past artisans during the Art Nouveau period who sought beauty by hand making an object. I believe each piece I create is a unique furnishing that will compliment a collection of Arts & Crafts antiques or even stand by itself as a representation of the Arts & Crafts movement. Which is, still to this day, to be in touch with the natural world and its simple pleasures.
Publications
I have contributed content to the following books and magazine articles:
Fine Woodworking - Design Book Four
Fine Woodworking - Beds and Bedroom Furniture
Craft Furniture: The Legacy of the Human Hand
Greene & Greene: Design Elements for the Workshop
Awards
I have been honored with the following awards:
Master Artisan in the Roycroft at Large Association (1996-2003) of East Aurora, NY
Show Award from Philadelphia’s Furniture & Furnishings Show (2004)
Collections
My work has become a part of the following public collections:
Presentation tables and coffee tables commissioned by Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, California
A reception desk for Kipplinger offices in the Washington, DC area
A lectern in a local church, St. John the Baptist
A conference table for the Maryland Communications Center in Baltimore which was later transferred to the Maryland State House in Annapolis.