American Period Furniture
Built by Commission
How I Work
American Heritage Furniture Co. operates as a design-led furniture workshop.
Each commission is developed and built by hand, working directly with designers and private clients from initial concept through final construction.
This direct process ensures that proportion, joinery, material selection, and finish are considered with intention at every stage.
The Nature of the Work
Each commission is developed as a one-of-a-kind piece, informed by historical precedent rather than exact replication.
Proportion, construction methods, and overall presence are guided by early American forms, while materials and details are resolved specifically for each project.
The goal is not variation for its own sake, but clarity—furniture that feels settled, balanced, and architecturally grounded.
Materials
Materials are selected for stability, clarity, and long-term performance.
Painted work is executed on select maple to achieve a smooth, even surface, while natural finishes are applied to carefully chosen cherry boards that emphasize grain without visual distraction.
Traditional finishes are prepared in-house using period methods, including hand-mixed milk paint and shellac finishes developed in the manner of 18th-century workshops.
This approach allows color, texture, and surface character to remain historically grounded while avoiding the uniform appearance of modern factory coatings.
Construction & Joinery
Construction follows traditional early American methods, including mortise-and-tenon joinery, hand-cut dovetails, and wooden pins in place of modern fasteners.
These techniques are not decorative—they are structural.
Each joint is cut, fitted, and assembled by hand, ensuring long-term strength, durability, and historical integrity.
Design & Collaboration
Projects begin with a collaborative design conversation to establish intent, scale, and context within the space.
I work closely with designers and clients to refine proportion, function, and visual balance before construction begins.
Once a direction is established, I oversee the execution of the piece from joinery through finish, maintaining continuity between design intent and craftsmanship.
Scope & Capacity
American Heritage Furniture Co. accepts a limited number of commissions each year to ensure focused attention on every piece.
This approach allows for careful execution at every stage—design, joinery, and finish—without compromise.
Lead times vary depending on scope and scheduling and are discussed during the initial inquiry.