I hand-select all my wood – quality starts with the wood.
When using plywood, I use a veneer core as opposed to an MDF (particle board) whenever I can – Melamine is an exception.
I work with a lot of different woods – to accommodate the customer’s design, needs and costs. Mostly, I work with hard woods, some are harder than others – just ask my tools! Some of the hardwoods include Maple, Walnut, Cherry, Poplar, and Oak.
Some woods can be substituted for others to save money. For example, Alder with a stain can be made to look like Cherry or Walnut, each of which are more than twice the price of Alder. European Beech is a new cost saver since Alder shot up over the price of Oak – hopefully temporarily. Beech doesn’t take to staining well but a natural finish brings out a warmth and beauty, a honey-wheat hue.
I also work with exotic woods, like Purple Heart, Padauk, Zebra Wood, Wenge, and Mahogany. Exotic woods are expensive. Some are rare or scarce, therefore I use exotic woods for trim, accent or inlay.
I also offer a water-based finish for those environmentally-sensitive in their health needs.
Hardware is very important link between moving wooden parts – let’s not put a weak link between the two. Fine furniture requires European hinges for doors and steel ball-bearing slides for drawers. My furniture is screwed and glued, not stapled with wishful thinking.
Call me at my shop – (505) 292-8500, toll free (877) 292-8507 or e-mail me (just, remember I’m low-tech and I can answer the phone quicker than retrieve e-mails!) As a self-employed craftsman, I’m usually there 6 days a week but it is always best to call for an appointment – I’m a man wearing many hats. I may be at the lumber yard, hardware store, or out on a delivery – and I would hate to miss you!
Plus when you call, I can help with directions.
Things you can do to prepare for our first meeting are to have your wall and floor measurements and any measurements for equipment that needs to fit into your furniture – think outside and inside. Also, if you have pre-existing furniture you want to complement, a drawer face or a door helps us select matching type of wood, color stain, sheen of finish, edge routing/tooling, and handle hardware, if any. Oftentimes, I’ll give you a sample piece to take home and look at under different lights.
During our time together, we draw pictures! (We both benefit with the visual aid! A picture is worth a 1000 words.) When I have enough information, I do my figuring and call you back with a fairly accurate estimate. My furniture is custom and so is my pricing. And then, really, you take your time to think. The furniture I make will be tailored to your needs and space. Measure twice, cut once! Cut it twice and it’s still too short.
When the final design is envisioned and shared, you as the customer deposit a third to a half of the total agreed upon price. At this time, we also pencil in a completion date – usually, 4 to 8 weeks – depending on lead time and complexity of your project. Some furniture is predictable and can be produced within a week – especially if I’m hungry!
Payment on completion and/or delivery.
I take Visa, MasterCard, checks or cash – no lupins, please!
I do my own in-town deliveries and out-of-town when feasible. I have delivered furniture from Texas to California and Colorado, too. (I consider out-of-town deliveries as healing time for my hands.)
For More Information Please Call (505) 292-8500
Or Drop Us a Line at Andy@watersongfurniture.com
