Projects
Here is a 1927 Retan Rocker. Retan was a furniture company based in Grand Rapids, Michign from 1926-1935. This rocker is a classic spring rocker that has been reupholstered two other times from its original gray mohair fabric. As it has been in the same family for the entireity of its existence the sentimental attchement causes for a refurbish and reupholster to fit the taste of the current owner.
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This is a Beach furniture piece from Canada. Unfortunately it suffered a tremendous ammount of water damage over an extensive time. It was refurbished and reconstructed to as close of original as thought possible. I upgraded the finish and veneers and replace the existing rusted casters with solid anique brass and was able to save only about 28-34% of its original state. Two of the drawers and two of the doors are new construction.
In this project I have the opportunity to come back to a project I had previously done. Shown here is the raw top prior to finishing. Replacing the pre-existing cherry hardwood top with something a little more substantial...
Goncalo Alves or "Tigerwood" gets its nick name for its dark walnut color stripping through a clean tight pale orange graining. An exotic species protected and deemed threaten in some parts of the world including Costa Rica, only available through proper channels, otherwise improper and potentially fraudulent. 
Just a quick shot of a traditional/contemporary design mantel design by TRN as a refinished install for a recently previous client. This client chose an American Cherry wood to match the my initially installed entertainment cabinet seen in my Past projects.
This two piece Urn chest was created based on the writings in Psalm 89-90. It was customized to carry the ashes of a loved one lost. A collaboration  between The Raven's Nest and Dog Star Metals. The box is made from Ipe, and maple bridle joints and is held by two solid bronze hands. The carving was all free hand chisel work. For more information contact me by email.
Featured project
Back side sho showing the particular graining of Ipe and its colors. Maple bridel joints.Side back shot revealing the under cut of the hands.Now seeing the hand carved wings of the dual hinged doors covering the urn and the base palms of the hands holding.Showing side hinge side, full left hand and stone within the path
The now prior shot of my old cherry wood bar.Rough glue-up of the left side bar top. (No flash used. Seems to hide the natural colors)Cross grain shot with flash.Long down shot of bar top rough with flash shows the more true colorInstalled with custom fabricated bar rail, old cherry wood colloms placed. No finish yet, just raw wood.
Cherry hardwood bar revamp
1927 Retan Rocker refurbish
Partial dry fit on remaining pieces and some new.a shot of the old veneer and finish of one door front Attempted reforming of the rounded top.aafter shot with new Walnut veneers, refurbished frames and original hardware. All finished in highest quality lacquer rubbed out to a high gloss.after shot with new Walnut veneers, refurbished frames and original hardware. All finished in highest quality lacquer rubbed out to a high gloss.
Late 1800's-Early 1900's
Deco upright half wardrobe/dresser
Traditional Contemporary
free mounted mantel
Raven's Mantel #1™ a contemp. traditional piece designed, fabricated, and installed by TRN
This design manipulated by Stephen Knollenberg, (original designer unknown) is over 8' in length, 16" deep at the maximum and stands nearly 6' tall against a custom fabricated solid raised panel wall reaching the top corner of the 25' vaulted ceilings.
It is primarily fabricated from American Cherry Hardwood and has no exposed fasteners of any kind. Guaranteed to be the only one of this caliber in existence.
High Contemporary
Extremely oversized mantel
Showing the multi beveld top of the mantel shell prior to final adhesion. The most complicated piece of the puzzle.Raw cherry with minor burnishing started.The final installation under a full raised panel wall also created by TRN. Cherry hardwood, lacquer finish with approximately 50 light coats, polished to a low to medium luster. Installed over a new stone surround and aprin.
Here we have a classic style fanfeld staircase that was originally carpeted with a shag or frizie style pile. This was dated and had caused a tremendous amount of staple damage in the stringer trims. An attempt to save the existing rails and ballasts is in play. So off comes the pieces, numbered for easier re-install. All of the sub treads are removed, the existing rough treads are repaired or replaced as needed and the fun begins.
Oak staircase
revamp from carpeting
The pre-existing staircase showing the stained oak, damaged trim work and rough treads/steps.The pre-existing staircase showing the stained oak, damaged trim work and rough treads/steps.Getting close to the count, and rough lumber needed for millingRough selectionsRough tread selection, each custom milled/cut and scribed to its location.A final glue down on the treads and we may begin the re-install of the handrail parts.
Stay tuned for photo's of the completed works
10' Solid Lancaster Maple trestle table
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Lancaster Maple Trestle Table
Lancaster Maple/Curly maple enclosed breadboard endsLancaster Maple/ Curly Maple enclosed breadboard endsLancaster Maple Trestle Table side profileLancaster Maple Trestle Table angle view
As one of the oldest forms of table construction the Trestle table is simple, elegant and durable. This design was created for use as a conference table for a local municipal  law enforcement.
This design is of solid 8/4 and 12/4 Lancaster Maple with enclosed Curly Maple bread board ends, maple pegs and finished with a hand rubbed polymerized Varnish oil. The design and specie of this table are sure to hold up to the test of time throughout the ages.
This here is a traditional oak coffee table. Approximately dated 1968-72.
A friend had it in his garage loft for some years after it had been left out in the elements. The finish had long since deteriorated along with the color. The unfortunate thing, I was told it was one of the last remaining item of his mothers sibling who passed away some years ago. I was asked to refurbish it to as close the original color as possible. This was a surprise gift for her winter holiday season of 2009. I hope in some way, wonderful warmth and happiness is brought  to them both. Thanks to G, for the project!
Seen here is a definite split in the top. Burn marks in the center. Top view.Side view of the same table.Completely dismanteled and re-constructed. Custom color pigments and hand rubbed polyurethane finish. End view.Same table with the side view.
Oak hardwood coffee table refurbish
Custom Urns
This is more of a challenge. A leather seat that needs some serious help. The feet have rusted as well as the spindle for the seat to swivel on. I found two of these after sitting in a garage for several years. The dust has imbedded itself with the leather. There is minor pitting in the hardware and some feet missing.
The obvious aged chair before shot
Retro antique bucket seats
restoration/refurbishment
Stay tuned for photos of the completed works