How We Work - Furniture
The Process of Creating an Heirloom
Our work is our art, and our art is an expression of ourselves. We invite you to come explore the intricate process of making our pieces, delve into the time and care of handwork, and better understand what makes our pieces luxurious, beautiful, and unique.
Furniture and pottery companies around the country have transitioned to machine-made lines, producing and reproducing designs economically and in quantity. ShackletonThomas, however, has remained true to the authenticity of product and process. We are one of the only companies of our kind in the United States, and our workshops are one of the few places you can see work of this quality being created in the traditional manner.
You, our customer, are our partner in preserving these techniques. We encourage you to visit us, write to us, and explore our process to learn more about the importance of making work by hand.
Furniture and pottery companies around the country have transitioned to machine-made lines, producing and reproducing designs economically and in quantity. ShackletonThomas, however, has remained true to the authenticity of product and process. We are one of the only companies of our kind in the United States, and our workshops are one of the few places you can see work of this quality being created in the traditional manner.
You, our customer, are our partner in preserving these techniques. We encourage you to visit us, write to us, and explore our process to learn more about the importance of making work by hand.
Every Surface Hand-planed
Our handplaned surfaces have a wonderful look and silky smooth finish that begs to be touched. Every furniture maker keeps a variety of well-honed hand planes to tune the perfect surface.
Shaping Each Gesture
Details and motifs that celebrate shaping the raw material by hand are carefully integrated into the design of each piece. Creating these details requires the utmost skill and years of experience.
Lathe Turning
The lathe is an essential tool of our workshop, be it used for precisely turning a beautiful pedestal for a dining room table, an elegant column for a four-poster bed, or one of our magnificent bowls.
Upholstery
Our upholstered pieces are made with all natural materials whenever possible — including cotton, burlap, muslin, down/feather, and horsehair.