One of a kind furniture pieces and creative wood turnings including birdhouses, bowls, boxes and other unique items
A North Carolina native, and has been working with wood for over 30 years, building custom homes and renovations in the Chapel Hill and Durham area as a “hands on” licensed general contractor, providing custom trim details, built in cabinets, creative decks and other special features.
12/22/2025
This is the last shop project for the year. Torii Gate style bell stand. It's hard maple with a cherry cap. The base is connected by 2 long dovetailed stretchers to keep the base flat and square. Shellac sealer coat with satin spar varnish is the finish.
10/26/2025
This White Oak porch swing was made from a tree I harvested in my customer's yard about 14 years ago. I saved the trunk pieces to make pieces for them. I got 12 pieces 24" wide, 6' long, and 2 " thick. I used one and a half slabs to build the swing. The 2" x 1/2' slats were made from one section and are installed in order. Satin spar varnish is the finish.
07/30/2025
This is another George Nakashima inspired project from the shop this summer. The pair of benches are made from a Cherry tree I harvested several years ago. The Cherry is 2" stock and cut from the same log. They are finished with satin polyurethane.
Many thanks to all my family and friends for the happy birthday wishes. I had a great day! I'm so lucky to have you all in my life!
10/17/2022
This live edged, Cherry coffee table is the latest shop project. It is another Nakashima inspired piece. I harvested the large, up-rooted Cherry in 2014. It is finished with 5 thin coats of shellac and three coats of satin polyurethane. The finish is topped with a hand rubbed coat of wax. The piece will be available for purchase on my website in the near future.
12/20/2021
My customer harvested this walnut tree from his grandfather's farm near Carthage, NC. He designed the "runner" to fit the available space in his office. He air dried it in his garage for a couple of years. I think the book matched doors really make the piece!
08/30/2021
These are photos of my new patio furniture. The big table is my take on George Nakashima's Conoid table series. His structural engineering is amazing! The table is made from 2 slabs of a Willow Oak that was uprooted by Hurricane Fran in 1996. The small table is made from a storm damaged Hickory I harvested in 2003. That ice storm left us without power for 6 days.
08/26/2021
This is one of my shop dogs. Millie. She's the smart one!
08/07/2021
This was last weeks project at the shop. I was commissioned to build a tabletop size Japanese Temple Bell stand for the Showtime series BILLIONS. The new season starts on September 5th at 9 pm. I am looking forward to seeing it!
01/21/2020
This was an interesting project from the shop last year. Reclaimed heart pine vanity and bathroom accessories. You can find more details at https://rsswoodworks.com/gallery/reclaimed-heart-pine-vanity
06/12/2019
Last month I was commissioned to build 2 "Legacy" boxes for a local Bible study group. I was to engrave the words "Legacy" and make a relief carving of their tree symbol. I chose mahogany for the boxes. Please see more details and info at http://rsswoodworks.com/gallery/mahogany-legacy-boxes
12/24/2018
Turkey Tail mushroom..... I think! I found this behind the shop yesterday.