A furniture studio in Athens, since 2014
Ashgrove Studio. Furniture made one piece at a time, to be seen up close.
Dining tables, casework, chairs and small work in regional hardwoods, drawn to scale before a board is cut and delivered across the Southeast from Athens.
From the bench
Four sample pieces. The drawings stand in for photographs on this demo.
Walnut sideboard
Eight spindle chairs
Dovetailed valet tray
How the studio works
Regional hardwoods
Oak, walnut, ash and cherry from mills within a day's drive, dried in the studio's own kiln.
Joinery, not fasteners
Tenons, dovetails and wedges carry the load. Screws hold hinges and nothing else.
Finishes you can fix
Hardwax oil on almost everything, so a scratch is a ten-minute repair at home, not a refinish.
Signed and dated
Every piece is signed, dated and numbered underneath, with the wood and the finish written on the card.
Kinds of work
Tables, casework, seating and small work, all to order.
Dining tables
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Solid slab or plank tops on hand-shaped bases, sized to the room they are going into.
Cabinets and casework
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Sideboards, bookcases, wardrobes and built-ins with doors that close like a good drawer.
Chairs and seating
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Dining chairs, stools and benches, shaped for sitting rather than for a photograph.
Small work
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Cutting boards, boxes, trays and mirrors from the offcuts of the larger pieces.
How a commission goes
Every commission runs the same six steps, so you always know where your piece is. Sample timings for a sample studio.
- Week 1
A conversation
- Weeks 2 to 3
Drawings
- Week 4
Deposit and materials
- Weeks 5 to 12
Making
- Weeks 13 to 14
Finishing
- Weeks 15 to 16
Delivery
Words from clients
These are sample reviews written to show the layout. No stars, no scores, nothing invented: real words go here, word for word, when the studio has them.
We sent a photo of the kitchen and a rough size. What came back was a drawing that solved a problem we had not noticed, the table blocking the door to the porch. The table is the best thing in the house.
Questions people ask
How much does a commissioned table cost?
It depends on the size, the wood and the base, and every price is written down after the drawing, never guessed on the phone. Small work is priced on the Work page as it is made. Sample answer for a sample studio.
How long does a commission take?
Twelve to sixteen weeks from deposit for most pieces. Chairs in sets and large built-ins can run longer. The drawing stage gives you the real date before you commit.
Can I choose the wood?
Yes. The studio keeps white oak, black walnut, ash and cherry in the kiln, and can source others. The boards chosen for your piece are photographed and sent to you before they are cut.
Do you deliver?
Within a day's drive of Athens the studio delivers and sets the piece in place. Beyond that, pieces are crated for freight and the cost is quoted with the drawing.
Can I visit the studio?
Saturday mornings the showroom door is open. During the week, visits are by appointment so the machines can be stopped and someone can walk you through.
What if a piece gets damaged later?
Bring it back, or send a photo. Most marks on an oiled finish are a ten-minute repair, and the studio will always talk you through it or do it for you.
Commissions are open. The next bench slot is about four months out.
Start a commission
Tell us the piece, the room and roughly when you need it. A written reply with questions and a first price range comes within three business days.
Inquiry received.
Thank you. Your inquiry is in. Someone from the studio writes back within three business days; if you would rather talk first, call the number at the top of the page.
Notes from the bench
A short email when a piece comes off the bench or a bench slot opens up, six to eight times a year. No sales, and you can leave any time.