Custom Made Furniture Galleries in Seattle or Portland?

[Jim Butterfield]

I'm going to be in Portland and Seattle next week. Are there any galleries anyone would recommend where I can get some furniture design ideas?

[Bill Jensen]

http://www.northwestwoodworking.com/ Woodworking School.
http://crosscuthardwoods.reachlocal.com/ domestic and exotic woods
http://www.thejoinery.com/ custom and premade "craftsman" furniture
http://www.woodcrafters.us/
These are local resources that could probably help you find what you need.
Woodcraft and Rockler both also have stores in Portland.
I am not big on touring the galleries, but i know there are a few in town.
Crosscut (above) would be a great resource for galleries because they get a lot of the local artists and craftsman in their store. The staff at the stores here are usually quite helpful and nice.
This is just a starting point for you, you could call a couple of the places above and get a better list.
I don't know anything about the Seattle area woodworking.
I hope this helps.:)

Bill Jensen

[Brian Tax]

I have been meaning to check this out, but have not made the time.
http://www.nwfinewoodworking.com/index.html - expensive custom furniture gallery co op.

[J.R. Rutter]

I'll second NW Fine Woodworking. There are some good craftsmen who display there.

You might also check out McKinnon furniture. They are a family owned manufacturer/retailer that has been in Seattle for many years.

[Sara Judy]

http://www.therealmothergoose.com/

NW fine woodworking gallery is rumored to be closing so you may want to call first:(
http://www.nwfinewoodworking.com/

[Jim Butterfield]

Thanks all -- this is helpful! I have lots of honeydew projects that are generic (end table, nightstands, etc), so I'm always looking for design ideas beyond the tried-and-true standards.

[Ray Cavola]

Try this store:
http://www.mckinnonfurniture.com/
They are downtown Seattle, have awesome designs, and fine construction.

[Craig D Peltier]

I wouldnt recommend crosscut. There arent any pics there of furniture or furniture. If you want to maybe me see some exotic wood then go there, but a better place to see exotics and some japanese style baths made of wood is edensaw in Kent. Near airport. They have much cooler pieces of wood to look at. They have great veneers too.
NW finewoodworking would be real good and other stores on that same street. Close to Harbor Steps.
MC Kinnons is also in Bellevue I think.

[John Bush]

Hi Jim,
NW Finewoodworking Gallery is worth the visit. Lots of creative pieces from local artisans. It is located in Pioneer Square a few blocks south of downtown.

I just visited Urban Hardwoods in the Ballard area, just a bit northwest of downtown~~ 10-15 min., and they have some amazing slabs of wood from trees harvested in town. They make a variety of tables, desks, benches, chairs, etc.,as well as custom commisions using this wood and it is worth a visit if time allows. They have stacks of 3"+ slabs in their back room, a kiln half full of slabs yet to be moved and a few piles of logs behind the building. They just moved to this spot so you may want to call and get the new address(1416 14th NW IIRC, but not 100% sure). It's more of an industrial area but it is a good example what can be done when artists, arborists, and tree service companies work together to turn what would likely become firewood into impressive, usable wood. Their showroom isn't fully set up yet but there are 15-20 pieces,large and small, there to see.

The Giving Tree, 2008 Westlake Av.---2 blocks north of downtown, is a small shop that makes toys with a NW flavor, sells them and gives the proceeds to kids interests in the area. Small shop but lots of good spirit. One of the principles is in his 80's, is almost blind, and with other "seasoned" volunteers, made a Harley rocker using a variety of hardwoods and lots of carving. It was incredible and I think it sold for over $1200! The shop would be a short walk from the Westlake Center downtown. (I am guessing you are staying downtown)

Crosscut is on 4th Av S.--south of downtown a couple of miles(south of Safeco Field and Qwest Field) and would be interesting if you want to see a wide variety of exotics that you may not have the chance to see all in one place. Kind of a sexy lumberyard for a woodworker. I spoke with a sales rep there and he said that the Seattle area is one of the biggest exotics markets in the country. Used to be anyway.

If possible, you should try to visit the Chihuly Glass Works. I am not sure if they still have regular tours, but it would be worth a visit as well.

Gary Rogowsky(sp) has a teaching studio in Portland and may be worth looking up.

PM me as needed. Have fun, JCB.

[John Bush]

There's more!
Gary Rogowsky runs the Northwest Woodworking Studio. Check his web.
The Giving Tree has a web site too.
Darrel Peart is a Greene and Greene furniture maker and has a good website as well. He is located south of Seattle 20+ miles. I think.