My Contemporary Entryways

Hand-carved Torry Pine tree in wood, with carved glass sidelites, Encinitas, CA

Let me start this blog by saying I love contemporary architecture. As a door craftsman and woodworker, I tend to get compartmentalized in the traditional and classic woodworking areas, probably because I do many classic designs in my woodcarving, glasswork, and iron forging.

Contemporary architecture lends itself to an especially endless amount of possibilities by using a combination of unique woods, metals, and kiln-formed glass. The entry door on a contemporary home can be curved or even compound curved, with concealed hinges for that sleek look. It can be a massive piece with intersecting angles. Understated yet powerful hand carving will add interest and depth. The use of metalwork is quite common in contemporary design, and can have different patinas added for a variety of looks.

By incorporating several different styles into the contemporary entryway or furniture I can takes away the otherwise stark appearance that some modern or contemporary architecture reflects, allowing for the sleekness and at the same time softening the look, so that it appeals to a broader group of people. 

Family of lions carved into this contemporary door, Los Angeles, CA

Copper with patina, stainless steel, and crackle glass.  Del Mar, CA

Glazed white oak with copper panels.

Mahogany with cast heavy glass.  La Jolla, CA

St. James church, San Deigo, CA.  I fired this glass piece by piece in my kiln, using a large pattern so that the lines would match up in the final product.