Hey there, my name is Kristopher Holland and I am the designer/builder at Willamette Valley Woodworks in Corvallis, Oregon.
I focus my efforts on carefully considered furniture design and quality craftsmanship. I love the creative process and strive to build pieces that excel in form and function. I have built tables, chairs, beds, case pieces, jewelry boxes and more and would love to hear about the project you have in mind.
Thanks for visiting and please continue reading to learn a little more about my process.
Who Is Custom Furniture For?
Custom furniture isn’t only being created for those of great means. In small workshops like mine, woodworkers all over the world are building furniture one piece at a time in a traditional and time-honored fashion for people of all stripes and walks of life.
This work is for those who want something independent and personal to them/their home. It is for those who appreciate craftsmanship, details and the story behind the furniture they live and interact with.
Custom furniture is for those who understand that settling for short-lived production-line furnishings, only to toss them in the landfill a few years down the road, is not a sustainable practice for the planet or their bank account.
A Conversation
Building a custom piece of furniture begins with a conversation to learn more about what you are interested in and how the piece will fit into your home. It can be beneficial to see inspirational photos, links, or sketches you’d like to share to help convey your wants. We can start with a few emails to discuss your initial ideas and then a phone call or visit. If you live in Corvallis or nearby, it is helpful to visit you at home to get a better sense of the space where your new furniture will live. These informal meetings let us delve into more detail regarding design, materials, functionality, dimensions, detailing, finishing and budget.
Following our discussion, I will spend some time considering the design of your piece with a pencil and sketchbook. About a week later I’ll share the design(s) with you and get your thoughts. If needed, we can make a few adjustments before a final sketch is made.
From there, the ball is in your court. Some will want to move forward right away and others will want time to think on it. Either way, this is an important investment and I will not pressure you in any way or try to sell you something you don’t need.
Materials & Craftsmanship
With the design wrapped up, it is time to gather materials.
Trees are some of the most majestic and beautiful beings on our planet and the wood used in your furniture is held in high regard. Great care is taken when considering the wood that goes into each project. Whether it has straight, swirling or figured grain, every board will play a specific role in how the final piece of furniture will look.
Priority is given to domestic hardwoods including walnut, white oak, ash and maple (among others) that come from sustainably managed sources and local suppliers.
When it comes to joinery, I stick to the tried and true methods proven over the years by traditional craftspeople: mortise and tenon, dovetails, floating tenons, box and bridle joints.
If something you’ve seen or read above resonates with you, we hope you will contact us to get a conversation started:
Need a little more information? Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions page:
