Studio Furniture - is an artists furniture creation that is a one of a kind piece,
                                  or at the very most, a limited edition. Studio furniture often 
                                  follows the same rules as fine art. Color design, design theory,
                                  proportion all have their place in fine studio furniture. 

            With a focus to create fine furniture in a handcrafted fashion typical of previous
         generations of fine furniture makers, my belief is that furniture should be of such quality
         that it is passed down between generations.

                                              
                                                           
         The contemporary style of furniture I create has simple, clean lines and with very
         subtle features, emphasizing the timeless design. The wood selected for my pieces is
         carefully chosen to provide maximum dramatic effect yet provide subtlety in appearance.
         My furniture is designed around both form and function.

         A quote from world renown and master woodworker, James Krenov:
     
            "Function is a responsibility. Furniture should feel good to use, and to live with,
             give pleasure to both hand and eye.  Beauty, when it emerges, is a quiet
             accompaniment to these fundamentals of fine cabinetmaking".  

         In the creation of fine furniture I utilize traditional joinery. This guarantees the
         longevity of the piece. I use time proven joinery, namely mortise and tenons,
         dovetails, dowels, etc.. in my furniture pieces.

          The design methodology I adhere to is modern and contemporary. Contemporary
         design utilizing traditional joinery and finishing. I collaborate with the client and strive
         to create a unique piece of furniture, with woods selected with my guidance. The
         use of high quality domestic and exotic woods provides the client with a furniture
         experience to behold. Furniture I create is composed primarily of solid woods.
         Veneers are used primarily for door panels and only if the wood is not available in
         solid form or if curved panels are involved. Many beautiful exotic woods are today
         on the endangered list, and therefore, I refrain from using these woods in solid form
         which can be wasteful.

          The finishing process I use is very similar to quality finishing techniques used over
         the past centuries. There is a tendency today to apply both stain and film finishes
         to furniture. These stains and finishes serve to mask both the color and texture of
         the wood and give an artificial appearance to the surface of the wood. My finishing
         is applied in such a way as to both protect the wood and to maintain the subtle texture.
         This is achieved through application of multiple coats of hand-applied, thinned shellac,
         then polished and waxed, or alternatively an application of light finishing oils.

                                                           Refined Edge Design 
                                                                                     Ottawa Ontario ON K0A 2P0 CANADA
                                                                    Phone: (613) 821-5160   E-mail: norman@refinededge.com