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A day in my shop

Ever wonder what it’s actually like to be a custom furniture maker — what building handcrafted, heirloom-quality furniture really involves?

Here’s the part most people don’t realize: before a single board is touched, it all starts with you. Believe it or not, you’re the whole reason my world exists. Here’s how a custom piece goes from your first phone call to a finished heirloom delivered to your door — right here in Olympia and the South Sound.

It Starts With You: The First Call About Your Custom Piece

Usually I’m out in the shop working on someone else’s project when my phone rings or an email comes in — somebody in the Olympia area asking about having a custom piece made, and how the whole process works. I call back, and we talk. I get a feel for what you have in mind, and then we set up a time to look at the space your furniture is going to live in.

When I come by, I’m not just measuring. I’m reading your style and your taste, so the custom furniture I build actually belongs in your home.

The Design Phase: A 3D Plan for Your Custom Furniture

That first visit turns into the design phase the most important step of all. I create a detailed 3D design of the exact piece I’ll be building for you. That design does two jobs at once: it gives you something real to look at and price out, and it gives me my plan for the days ahead at the bench.

I can’t stress enough how important this step is. Every cut I make in the shop comes back to this plan. Get the plan right, and the whole build goes right.

Selecting the Finest Wood

With the plan set, we move on to the wood. I hand-pick the finest solid hardwood boards for your piece and bring them back to the shop to acclimate for a week or so. Wood is a living material it needs time to settle into its new home before I ever cut into it. This is one of the quiet steps that separates true custom furniture from mass-produced pieces.

Milling and Cutting Each Part

Once the wood is ready, I get to work. I start with the glue-ups first, then mill everything to the exact thickness and size and cut each part down to its final dimensions. Precise milling now is what makes for tight, clean joinery later.

Hand-Cut Joinery: Built to Last Generations

Then comes the joinery — the heart of the whole thing. I mark and cut every joint by hand, from dovetails to mortise-and-tenon. This is what separates heirloom furniture built to last for generations from something that’s just screwed together. It’s slower. It’s also the reason your piece will still be standing strong long after we’re gone.

The Dry Fit: Watching Your Furniture Take Shape

Next is the dry fit, and this is where it gets exciting — it’s where your piece really starts to appear. As I work, I assemble the furniture again and again, checking that every joint comes together clean and true before a drop of glue is ever involved.

Sanding, Glue-Up, and Delivery

Right before glue-up, every part gets a thorough sanding. Then comes the glue-up — clamps everywhere, all the parts finally becoming one. After that, a final sanding and one last careful look over the whole piece.

And then the best part: delivery. Your custom, handcrafted furniture leaves my shop and comes home with you — where it’ll be lived with, and passed down, for generations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Furniture

How long does it take to build a custom piece of furniture?
Every project is different, but most custom pieces take a few weeks from approved design to delivery — including about a week just to let the wood acclimate in the shop.

How much does custom furniture cost?
Cost depends on the size, the wood, and the complexity of the joinery. I start with a free on-site estimate, then a paid design fee to create your 3D plan, so you know exactly what you’re getting before any wood is cut.

How do I commission a custom piece?
It’s simple — reach out by phone, text, or email, and we’ll set up a time for me to see your space. From there we move into design, wood selection, and the build.

What areas do you serve?
I’m based in Yelm, Washington, and build custom furniture for clients throughout the country although most of my work is in the south sound including Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tacoma, gig harbor, Seattle, and Thurston, king, and Pierce Counties.

Is handmade furniture really worth it?
A piece built from solid wood with hand-cut joinery isn’t disposable — it’s an heirloom. Cared for, it will outlast anything you’d buy off a showroom floor and can be passed down for generations.

Ready for a Custom Piece of Your Own?

If you’re in Olympia or anywhere in the South Sound and you’ve been dreaming of a piece of furniture made just for you, let’s talk. Call or text me at (360) 259-0232, email A.woodworks@hotmail.com, or visit andersonwoodwork.net to get started.

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