Featured Artisans

David Gray has a small shop in Langley, Washington, located on the South end of Whidbey Island. He employs two craftsman, each of whom contribute their vision and skills to the furniture.

In recent years, David has focused on producing designs inspired by the Craftsman tradition as exemplified by southern California architects, Greene and Greene. He produces these unique designs on a very limited basis with special woods and wood combinations. He also produces other traditional, contemporary, and custom designs for his clients as well as many modifications to regular designs. David states "I enjoy the collaborative endeavors and the new direction that can result from working with clients ideas.”

David's work has been influenced by both historical furniture traditions and the more recent explorations of the "Fine Woodworking" Era. As David developed as a designer, it soon became clear that he is drawn to simple, graceful lines and craftsmanship. In particular David fell in love with the furniture of Greene and Greene, turn of the century Architects in Southern California. He still marvels at the beauty of the line, the composition, and the expression of the craft in the Greene and Greene furniture.

In his designs, David emphasizes clean simple lines, a careful balance of form and function, and a synthesis of traditional furniture with a modern use of materials, design and presentation. David uses a variety of exposed joinery and pays careful attention to craftsmanship and detailing. He attempts to highlight the beauty of the wood by attending carefully to color, intensity, contrast and wood figure. David's work is finished with a catalyzed varnish which creates a low luster, close to the wood look. It is an extremely durable finish that emulates a traditional oil finish without the drawbacks of oil. You can spill and just wipe up with this finish; no rings, no follow up oiling.

David Gray has been building furniture since 1978. He is a founding member of Northwest Fine Woodworking and has served on it's board for over half of it's 25 year history, much of that as president.. His work is on display in their Showrooms in Pioneer Square. You can also find his work at Island Design in Langley, Washington, The Wood Merchant in La Conner, Washington, The Real Mother Goose in Portland, Oregon and Artwood in Bellingham, Washington.

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