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| Dear Reader,
Thanks
for subscribing! This e-newsletter will come about every other month
and will answer the questions that people always seem to ask when we
tell them our business, woodworking.
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5 Hints to Help Your Custom Job
Go Smoothly
How much will it cost? How long will it take?
 I knew a finisher in Culver City. He's retired now. I thought was
pretty grumpy all the time. I could tell he wanted to be friendlier.
But mostly, I saw grumpy. Especially as we talked about stain samples.
"The client likes the natural walnut tone, but wants it darker."
Grumpy's large eyebrows would lower in an even, heavy line, and the corners
of his mouth followed.
"Bring me a sample."
Grumpy
was being difficult, again. I had to go back to my client to find some
physical example of what they wanted, a shelf from another piece of
furniture, a drawer face, a picture from a magazine, something
tangible. I'd take it back to Grumpy.
"Here's a sample, now are you happy?"
Never quite happy, but he did seem mildly pleased, he had what he needed and could move on to the actual work.
Years later, especially since I am doing the finishing, I see what grumpy was teaching me.
"Natural
walnut tone but darker" is a mental thing, an idea. We understand the concept. We even see an image
in our mind, but the problem is there is no self-existent
"natural walnut tone but darker" out there. "Natural walnut tone but darker" can mean an
infinite amount things. Grumpy was trying to teach
me the importance of carefully translating design concepts into
physical form.
Your custom furniture, or your cabinets, or your
dream home start as ideas. At some point, they become form.
That translation is the crucial starting point to getting something
made successfully.
As Grumpy would say, "I can make stain
samples all day long if you like, and we will charge $50 an hour until
you're satisfied."
So to save everybody time, expense and grumpiness, we offer a few tips to help your next custom job go smoothly.
1. Bring photos. Bring samples. Bring tear sheets from magazines.
2. For estimating purposes, take (rough) dimensions.
3.
Know
your budget ahead of time. A contractor is required to give an honest
and precise bid. If they are too much for you, let them know. If they
are in the ballpark, keep talking. There could be adjustments to make
it work.
4.
Know what aspects of your job are the most crucial-completely
sustainable materials, your or the maker's aesthetics, certain size
drawers, completion for an art opening-so everyone is on the same page before things get started.
5. Be clear and discerning with your choices. Change orders can change prices and time lines.
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Press
CBS Evening News
Seriously!
We were on national television talking about business and the recent
downs and ups. In an odd, yet fun contrast, simultaneously in a
promotion in OK! Magazine with our work from the Casa del Mar spa.
reduxiture show + panel
New Puppy gallery in NELA
is having a show from October 2 - 25, 2009 of "furniture crafted with
love from recycled materials." We are showing several pieces with other
Los Angeles furniture makers, all using reclaimed materials. We hope
you can come out and see.
We love those blogs!
Sunset Magazine's blog and StyleHive. Thanks!
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On the Workbench
New Projects and Photos
The Wine Oak Collection is flushing out with "ready to buy" designs.
A custom bench, made from FSC eucalyptus, completes a beautiful deck in Playa del Rey.
See the New Custom Furniture and Cabinetry Projects |
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Our
services include the highest quality modern and traditional cabinetry,
custom furniture, green materials, finishing & refinishing. We
work with general contractors, architects, interior designers and
home owners.
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We always look forward to hearing your questions and suggestions.
Thanks, Cliff and Leigh Spencer
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