Laurie McKichan

I design furniture to be simple, honest and direct. I seek solid shapes and lines, subtle details and harmonious proportions; furniture that looks and feels right. I love the process of giving concrete form to the wishes of my clients. It's wonderful to have the ability to stare at a blank piece of wood, imagine its form, and then bring it to life. It's a combination of artistry and craftsmanship; a tangible expression of aesthetic judgment! I work primarily in solid wood using a variety of traditional and contemporary construction methods. This ensures that each piece can withstand the rigors of normal use (and abuse). I also generally work with hand-applied finishes but realize that some furniture demands the use of modern lacquers. COMMISSIONING FURNITURE I believe commissioning original furniture should be an exciting experience, one in which the client and craftsman come together in the creation of something personal and distinctive. The commissioning process begins with a visit to your home to share and discuss ideas. We will consider the current physical environment and how the new piece will fit into the larger context of your own aesthetic sensibility. After this meeting, I will come back to you with sketches. Once we agree upon a direction, I do scaled drawings (as well as mock-ups and prototypes as needed). Upon approval of the drawings, work can begin! This process can take weeks or months. It depends upon your project and my work load. I will always keep you informed as to how your piece is progressing. I realize that designing and executing furniture becomes a very personal process for both of us. I want to ensure that upon delivering your piece, there are no surprises and that all you feel is peace of mind; knowing you received exactly what you expected and desired.