Sakman Fine Woodworks

Description

Design process is indeed complicated and it can be time consuming. I always try to get to know my clients first, if possible I would like to see where my furniture is going to go. This is very important as every single piece is made special, one of a kind, its surroundings determine its final shape and appearance. Of course, in the meanwhile, I receive a good dose of my clients’ sense of design and taste, so my creation will be in harmony or bring harmony to the space.
During the design process, it’s best to leave no detail as an “afterthought”. Most commonly, the visible hardware is the usual victim of this mistake. Hardware is crucial part of the design process from the very beginning, regardless inner or outer, visible hardware. The importance of wood selection can not be stressed enough. Board selection for size, color and grain is everything. I seldom stain my pieces, and that does not give the convenience of random wood selection, as the timbers’ natural color is visible through clear finish and consistency is very important. On the other hand, I should mention while I am mentioning it. Wood is a natural material and its “considered” flaws are also beautiful. It’s a matter of having the right eye to arrange things. If the inconsistency is consistent, then design will be harmonious, not distorted. If one wishes that every single board is knotless, spotless and consistent in grain and color, than I suggest using Formica or similar manmade products that feature the picture of a single “flawless” board over and over again. It is not unusual that I had to modify the dimensions of a piece because the boards (wood) I need to use were either narrower or shorter than necessary. Making highly refined fine furniture is not a simple task. Design process does not end on the paper due to constant variables, such as the physical size of a piece of wood as well as accomplishing the necessary function while keeping the high level of artistry as constant. This is much easier said than done; Because, unlike regular furniture, every single piece of wood or veneer is painstakingly chosen, evaluated, processed (which can be very challenging) and cut to size, shaped if necessary and placed in its proper location. In these pages, you’ll see that not a single piece of wood has been picked randomly, even for the inner parts that are not visible. This is where sense of design 100% blends in with very high quality joinery that will last couple of lifetimes or more while it appreciates in value. Custom furniture making is a constant problem solving and innovating process. Since I seldom repeat exactly the same piece, I can not be speedy like it would be in a production environment. My signature series “Wine Cabinets” are an exception to a degree. Although they really look-alike to each-other, they differ not only in materials, but dimensions, joinery and many little details that are constantly improved to make everything look and work together in a much more refined manner. Wine cabinets’ design is so well received, I’ll keep making them until nobody wants one. Besides the appearance or “design” there is another aspect of functioning fine furniture that all its moving parts have to move while giving great sense of satisfaction to its owner. Every door, drawer, lid or any other part that moves must be fitted with perfect precision. In this process, as well as the very best quality commercial hardware, I often use my own (metal and/or wood) hardware that I engineer and built. So, moving parts do so with authority which establishes the “one before the last” leg of quality. Lastly, finish is so important, no matter how unique and creative the design is, how rare the wood is, how perfectly the joinery is executed, if the finish is not right, all that effort can go down the drain in a hurry. I usually use my own mixture of hand rubbed varnish and the new generation catalyzed lacquer which is as durable as traditional varnish. Both are very durable and chosen according to couple of factors. Design/appearance, functionality and usage. It has been 10 years and over 250 pieces. I would like to thank to all of my clients for trusting my sense of design and craftsmanship. My furniture making motto is: Life is too short to use ordinary wood, especially in hand crafted furniture.