In the Arts and Crafts Style
Above: Coffee table in solid imbuia with hand-carved stylized iris flowers in teak side panels.
One style of furniture making I have always loved since starting out in business is Arts and Crafts, especially the Greene and Greene style of Arts and Crafts. Charles and Henry Greene were California architects who developed a style unsurpassed by most. They, like Frank Lloyd Wright designed home exteriors as well as interiors, which included the lighting, furniture, carved wood details, art glass, forged iron and tiles.
They lived for a time in Japan and were very influenced by Japanese design that you can see throughout their work. The details in their pieces exhibit a gracefulness and fluidity that Mackintosh, Stickley and Mission styles just don't have. The Greene and Greene style included more hand carving and inlay work bringing Art Nouveau, Japanese and Arts and Crafts styles together in a wonderful combination.
The elegant simplicity of this style is one that is timeless. And like fine wine, these pieces get better with age! Below are a few of my favorite pieces, made several years ago, and aging beautifully.
Above: Solid teak entertainment center in the Arts and Crafts style with hand-carved forest scene and deer.
Above: Close-up of hand-carved forest scene on entertainment center.
Above: Medicine cabinet in curly maple and hand-carved, painted, and fused art glass window.
Above: Close up of hand-carved, painted and fused art glass window in bathroom.
Above: Arts and Crafts style kitchen made of solid curly maple. Encinitas, CA
Above: Above: Arts and Crafts style kitchen made of solid curly maple.
Above: Arts and Crafts style front entry in Japanese white oak and mahogany with leaded glass Cherokee rose design. Encinitas, CA
Above: Arts and Crafts style light fixture, figured walnut. Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Above: Hall sconce, slumped glass with wood and copper. Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Above: Outdoor patio light, art glass with wood and copper.
Above: Dining table and chairs made of solid mahogany with ebony inlays. Light fixture above table made with wood and leaded glass. Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Above: Solid imbuia entry door with glass in Hillcrest, CA
Above: Mahogany door with hand-carved eucalyptus tree and leaded glass with hand-carved ducks flying overhead.
Above: Close-up of hand-carved ducks.
