Investing Hand Crafted
- Bryan Shores
- Jun 24, 2024
- 4 min read
Let’s take a look
IKEA, Big box stores, and Amazon are convenient. Low prices and a wide selection can make it feel like a no-brainer. But remember, “You get what you pay for”. In today’s world, for the moment, we’re losing touch with quality; investing in a custom woodworking piece is more thoughtful and ultimately more rewarding in the long run. This is an effort to help with more sustainable building, superior quality, and the value and joy that a custom piece can bring, hopefully shedding some light on how satisfying it can be to explore the option of having something entirely built for you with you in mind.
Quality over Compromise
Shopping around, the first thing that catches most people’s eyes is the low prices that are associated with it sometimes. It truly makes it hard to resist. However, cheap furniture often means lower-quality materials like laminates and particleboard, which don’t withstand much abuse or wear and tear. Remember how you usually have to repair, hack, or replace a wobbly table leg or have you ever seen a bookshelf start to sag? Did you take the time to fix it yourself? Repairs can add up; if it’s in bad enough shape, you might have even considered replacing it.
Mass-produced furniture and goods are typically made using unsustainable practices as well. Their goals are to move units by cranking them out in large factories with less quality control or care for quality. Focusing not on quality or giving customers something they can connect with starts to play into throw away culture, filling landfills year after year with subpar quality furniture, ultimately causing customers pain and frustration of having to dispose of these items years before they should have to.
Put the frustration aside, and stop spending money on something you’ll throw away in a year or two. When investing in a custom wood piece, you get more than just furniture or eclectics. You’re getting a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Typically, these pieces are made from high-quality materials, such as solid wood, and can be durable and long-lasting. Everyone has seen the cabinet that Aunt Betty has had for years, which she got from somewhere else. Pieces like that are created by skilled individuals who pay close attention to meticulous details and ensure that the piece is built to last for generations, from the construction to the materials and the finish.
One of the biggest benefits of working with a custom shop is the ability to create unique and highly personalized designs. Whether you have specific ideas, aesthetic preferences, or unique requirements related to your space, the idea of having a custom piece created can be tailored to fit any one of your needs.
Another benefit is the extended aesthetic and functionality it brings to your home. Custom works add a touch of elegance and can help enhance your overall decor. The story behind the piece, the craftsmanship, and the attention to detail make custom pieces works of art that become talking points as well.
Instead of thinking of it as buying, try investing in custom handmade pieces. They can even boost the property’s value, making it more appealing to potential buyers. Most individuals appreciate distinctive characteristics, making your home ooze craftsmanship and providing character to any room your piece sits in.
There is something satisfying about owning a customer, handcrafted item. Typically, if you commission a woodworker to build something for you, these pieces will have a story to tell. It could be the wood that was used if it was reclaimed or otherwise, the skill of your woodworker shining through, or you had a lot of input on the design process, so you’ve now seen your vision come to life. The personal connection brings you in emotionally and makes the piece more than just a piece of furniture in your home; it is a piece you will connect with and share your happiness with.
Also, keep woodworking in mind. We do this for the love of building, creating, and, to an extent, showing our skills. Your purchase supports a woodworker somewhere. The time they spent studying the wood, on the project, and designing it for you. The connection to the maker and the story behind whatever piece provides value and enhances the overall experience of having a custom piece.
Satisfaction
There’s something unique and satisfying about owning custom works. Unlike mass-produced furniture, most pieces built for you will have your story woven into them; it could be the type of wood, where it was from, or even your hand in the design process. There is a personal connection that pulls your emotion into whatever piece you have made, ultimately making more than just a functional item.
Also, supporting someone and their craft brings a sense of fulfillment. You know that when your purchase supports someone who has dumped a lot of time and effort into their craft, it adds an extra layer of appreciation and value that you connect with.
When you think about adding flare and furnishings to your home, it’s often easy to get caught questioning the initial cost of a furniture item.
However, taking a step back to look at the long-term benefits of custom woodworking can help move one’s perspective entirely. As your kids age, the number of family gatherings your dining room table would see and be a part of is almost like “a hub.” The beautiful part is that after it has served its time with you, it’s still in an excellent place to be passed to the next host. Remember, next time you talk to a maker, you’re not just buying furniture; you’re making an investment in quality, sustainability, and something that will enrich your home for decades.
Imagine the pride of owning a piece that’s uniquely yours, crafted with care, and tailored to fit precisely in your space. Imagine the joy of supporting a local artisan and knowing that your choices and inputs contributed directly to the outcome. When you’re proud of your space and have things built to last, it will ultimately save you time and hassle in the long run.
Keep this in mind the next time you’re browsing and finding mass-produced, lower-quality units. Investing in a custom woodworking piece is more than just filling a space. We’ll take the time to ensure it’s about creating your custom visions, linking your stories and personal style to stand the test of time.
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