Design Matters

Stickley’s #210 settee embodies Arts & Crafts simplicity, honesty, and craft in one iconic design. A hundred years ago, Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman Workshops were busy producing some of the most...

Let function and proportion be your guide when designing a top. Growing up, I was never one for wearing hats – that was until fresh out of high school when...

An expert woodworker talks about what really gets him excited. One of my first trips to see firsthand the furniture of Charles and Henry Greene, two early 20th century architects...

Subtle use of patterns and repeating motifs please the eye. I was waiting on a phone call so I didn’t think twice when my phone rang. Two words in and...

Successful furniture designs draw viewers closer and reward them. Out of the corner of my eye it caught my attention, a fire-engine red 1966 Chevy Impala Super Sport. Memories flooded...

Use moulding, carving and other details to add visual layers. Have you ever gazed at a great painting and, for a brief moment, found yourself pulled into it? Almost like...

Unlock your creativity with this humble tool. How comfortable would you be giving up your tape measure? If that puts you in a cold sweat, I can relate. Time was...

You might drive by one every day, tucked away from the main road. I drove right by it for years, never suspecting there was a time capsule of American furniture...

Awaken your inner design sense with just a little practice. Talk about design often leads back to the idea of developing a good eye. For a long time I wrestled...

The Windsor form survives trial by fire. The blaze started sometime after midnight. A weak spot in the chimney broke and glowing embers spilled out onto dry timbers. By the...

Good, better or best? Small details and design decisions make a difference. It’s every manufacturer’s dream to have “one size fit all.” Yet imagine a trip to the shoe store...

The design journey isn't a straight line. However, there are some concrete steps you can take to achieving a great design.