Many times, when a patron has asked me to make a piece of furniture, they have a desire or a need which becomes part of the story of the piece. And of course, this story becomes part of the heritage of the piece as it is passed on to the next generation. Here are a few of the stories.
Trip
The Story of the Trippington Coffee Table
The commission for this table began when Lynn and Mike asked me over to their lake cabin in upstate New York. They had a problem they wanted me to solve: Every time their wonderful dog, Trippington or Trip for short, began running around with his toys, he often knocked over the coffee table. “Build us something stable” was their desire. We discussed the dimensions, wood type, style and how to make it "Trip" proof.
Back in my studio, I came up with several designs based upon their style considerations. They quickly decided on this piece with its sturdy and stable construction. It is intentionally wide and “boxy” with a shelf that is set low both for stability and to store books or magazines. It is made with solid cherry, of medium tone, with wenge trim and brace accent.
Mike and Lynn were thrilled with this design style and the look. They enjoyed the back and forth of our design process and they now have a piece of furniture that is part of their life at the cabin.
The commission for this table began when Lynn and Mike asked me over to their lake cabin in upstate New York. They had a problem they wanted me to solve: Every time their wonderful dog, Trippington or Trip for short, began running around with his toys, he often knocked over the coffee table. “Build us something stable” was their desire. We discussed the dimensions, wood type, style and how to make it "Trip" proof.
Back in my studio, I came up with several designs based upon their style considerations. They quickly decided on this piece with its sturdy and stable construction. It is intentionally wide and “boxy” with a shelf that is set low both for stability and to store books or magazines. It is made with solid cherry, of medium tone, with wenge trim and brace accent.
Mike and Lynn were thrilled with this design style and the look. They enjoyed the back and forth of our design process and they now have a piece of furniture that is part of their life at the cabin.
A Grandmother's Desire: The Children's Star Gazing Table
When Betsey came to me to commission a table for her grandchildren, she wasn't sure what she wanted. She knew it had to be small, in order to be comfortable for the children to use. "Design a table that you would make for your own children", she said. So I started the design process by letting myself go back into childhood memories as well as watching children play. I also thought about Betsey's extended family. Her home is on a beautiful lake and she and her family are always active outdoors. At night on the lake, the stars are especially brilliant and the sky is wide. With these thoughts, I designed her table to capture these stars and their wonder. The design is colorful and playful but also sturdy so that the children would be safe, even if they climbed on top of it. The underside of the table is painted black with the major constellations seen at the lake painted with glow-in-the-dark paint. That's because kids love to crawl under things and to make forts and caves out of everything! With the lights out, the "stars" just light up. Betsey later told me that her grandchildren loved looking at the 'stars' under the table.
When Betsey came to me to commission a table for her grandchildren, she wasn't sure what she wanted. She knew it had to be small, in order to be comfortable for the children to use. "Design a table that you would make for your own children", she said. So I started the design process by letting myself go back into childhood memories as well as watching children play. I also thought about Betsey's extended family. Her home is on a beautiful lake and she and her family are always active outdoors. At night on the lake, the stars are especially brilliant and the sky is wide. With these thoughts, I designed her table to capture these stars and their wonder. The design is colorful and playful but also sturdy so that the children would be safe, even if they climbed on top of it. The underside of the table is painted black with the major constellations seen at the lake painted with glow-in-the-dark paint. That's because kids love to crawl under things and to make forts and caves out of everything! With the lights out, the "stars" just light up. Betsey later told me that her grandchildren loved looking at the 'stars' under the table.
Testimonials
"Liz was a delight, and the consummate professional, as we worked through my design ideas for a custom clock for a law school graduation gift. She was patient as she helped me select the woods that would complement my evolving thoughts. And, of course, I had not planned ahead and she graciously accommodated my short time line. In the end the clock was "Just perfect!" in the words of its recipient. Graceful, elegant, in lovely proportion. And when I visit her home, years later, indeed, the ultimate testimony, the clock graces the center of her mantle." --Sue Mathieson
"Liz had great attention to detail in both "what" she built and "how' she came to understand what I needed. She coordinated the design and built a display stand and glass enclosure for the public exhibition of a valuable bronze sculpture addressing security and presentation issues while satisfying the demands of the cultural center in which it is now being displayed. She took my ideas and improved them in a series of meaningful changes and refinements that resulted in a finished product I will be very happy with for decades. Being innovative and a good listener make her a joy to work with. She's great at what she does because she cares about the process, the product and her customer's needs. --John Hyslip
"Working with Liz on our Trippington table was a total pleasure. She designed a piece that met diverging needs -- a piece that is both somewhat petite but which our lively dog will not knock over! The lines are elegant without being fussy or contrived. The table brings practical beauty right into our cabin. We are thrilled!" --Lynn and Mike
"Liz was a delight, and the consummate professional, as we worked through my design ideas for a custom clock for a law school graduation gift. She was patient as she helped me select the woods that would complement my evolving thoughts. And, of course, I had not planned ahead and she graciously accommodated my short time line. In the end the clock was "Just perfect!" in the words of its recipient. Graceful, elegant, in lovely proportion. And when I visit her home, years later, indeed, the ultimate testimony, the clock graces the center of her mantle." --Sue Mathieson
"Liz had great attention to detail in both "what" she built and "how' she came to understand what I needed. She coordinated the design and built a display stand and glass enclosure for the public exhibition of a valuable bronze sculpture addressing security and presentation issues while satisfying the demands of the cultural center in which it is now being displayed. She took my ideas and improved them in a series of meaningful changes and refinements that resulted in a finished product I will be very happy with for decades. Being innovative and a good listener make her a joy to work with. She's great at what she does because she cares about the process, the product and her customer's needs. --John Hyslip
"Working with Liz on our Trippington table was a total pleasure. She designed a piece that met diverging needs -- a piece that is both somewhat petite but which our lively dog will not knock over! The lines are elegant without being fussy or contrived. The table brings practical beauty right into our cabin. We are thrilled!" --Lynn and Mike