Geoffrey Warner Studio :: Handcrafted Furniture & Cabinetry Design & Commissioning

My inspiration as a furniture designer began with Scandinavian and eastern influences. These forms were close to my heart many years ago while I was studying with the Danish master, Tage Frid at the Rhode Island School of Design. He taught me to design with practicality, build with integrity and work with efficiency, but most importantly, not to compromise beauty.

Over the years I have developed a vocabulary guided by the geometry of nature; the nautilus spiral, a budding flower, or the wing of a crow, and gained a sense of proportion and confidence in applying sculptural forms to my work. I am fortunate in that I still draw passion from this trade of working with wood, using my hands to transform trees and beautiful boards into heirlooms that bring my customers joy.

In 2009 I developed a design philosophy, with the goal of honoring community, economy and ecology. The OWL® Stool was the first successful furniture design to encompass the triad and has been enjoyed by both friends and community members. I now offer workshops so customers can have a hand in assembling their own stools . It gives me great satisfaction channeling some of Tage’s mastery on to others as they learn the joy of how a few well executed techniques can bring beauty to wood.


Selected Commissions and Works
2011	Further developing Owl® Furniture, as strategized by the marketing plan (see 2010 below). Commissions, including assembly and finish of twelve Continuous Arm Chairs.
2010	Developed Owl® Stool and workshops, as strategized by a one-year marketing plan (sold over 250 Owl® Stools and kits since its 2009 creation). Designed and completed six live-edge table commissions. Initiated second-phase restoration of Willow (launch anticipated 2011).
2009	Developed and produced Owl® Stool project in alignment with emerging philosophy of smart design and affordability in furniture. Commissions, included design and production of original chairs and tables. Initiated first-phase restoration of Willow, a 32' German-built, classic wooden sailboat.
2008	Built living room sofa, chair and occasional tables, jewelry display cabinets, rotating stools. Designer/collaborator furniture and fixtures, Maine Center for Craft, West Gardiner, ME
2006-2007	Began employing subcontracted partners to help produce Stonington Furniture Collection designs (using limited production techniques), including music stands, continuous arm dining chairs and library stairs, in a choice of woods. Designed, contracted and built kitchen addition/furniture for residence, Sedgwick, ME. Designed, built extensive custom cabinetry/furnishings for estate, Moosehead Lake, Greenville, ME.
2005-2006	Began introducing a new line of furniture - The Stonington Furniture Collection. Continuing designing and build cabinetry/furniture. Expanded shop by 30%; upgraded major machinery (to service commissions).
2004-2005	Designed, contracted and built kitchen addition and furniture for Caroline Hecker at The Pearson Gallery, Deer Isle, ME.
2004	Designed and built a 12' x 10' solid cherry mobile, inspired by water reflections.
2002-2003	Designed, built and moved into new studio/shop/gallery in Stonington, ME. Designed and built furniture and cabinetry for the Post residence, Cape Rosier, ME (Robert W. Knight house design).
1988-2004	Completed dozens of furniture and cabinetry commissions for customers throughout the US, including tables, chairs, desks, lamps, entertainment centers, stained glass doors, beds, kitchens and a tree house.
1996	Moved to Maine. Built new fine woodworking shop, Deer Isle, ME.
1993-1994	Commissioned by Clodagh Design International to develop, design and build furniture and fixtures for Dana Buchaman stores and showrooms in New York City.
1992-1993	Designed seating for Charlotte, Inc. Belding, MI. Designed and built furniture for Felissimo, New York City. Designed and built contemporary post and barn home for my family on Deer Isle, Maine.
1990-1991	Commissions, included permanent pieces, Aidekman art Center, Tufts University, MA.
1990	Designed and built permanent furniture, Merrin Gallery, Fifth Avenue, NYC.
1984-1988	Commissioned by Louise Fitting Associates, Inc. Designed and built furniture installations at two Trump Tower condominiums in NYC. Designed and built furniture, cabinetry and circular stairs for other Trump Tower Condominiums.
1987	Commissioned by Pawling Properties Associates. Designed and built furniture for new Ziff Family Estates, Pawling, NY.
1984	Assisted John Dunigan in preparing furniture, Gallery Henoch show, NYC.
1982-1983	Commissioned by various clients. designed and built furniture, including furniture for the office of the Dean of Architecture and Planning, M.I.T., MA - bookcases, file cabinets, receptionist's desk, conference table and writing desk.
Gallery Representation - past and present
	Center for Maine Craft, West Gardiner, ME Deer Isle Artists' Association, Deer Isle, ME Blue Heron Gallery, Deer Isle, ME The Cultural Embassy, High Point, NC Franklin Parrasch Gallery, New York, NY Harbor Square Gallery, Rockland, ME Pritam and Eames, East Hampton, NY Sansar, Washington, DC Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA
Selected Shows
2011	Owl® Stool selected as feature piece, Furniture Society booth, Architectural Digest Home Show, NYC.
2008	The Cultural embassy, opening exhibition of Design Week, High Point, NC. Maine Home, Boat and Harbor Show, Rockland, ME. Work of the Hand, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME.
2007	Getting Personal: Maine Architects' Digest Furniture, Portland Museum of Art, ME.
2006	New Work by Faculty, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME. Getting Personal: Maine Architects' Design Furniture, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME. RISD at Midcoast, Center for Maine contemporary Arts, Rockport, ME.
2005	The Wood Show, The Center For Maine Contemporary Arts, Rockport, ME. Water, The Center for Maine contemporary Arts, Rockport, ME.
2004	The Maine Woodworkers Association, Group Show at Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockland, ME
2004	Fall Fine Woodworking Exhibition, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME. Grand Opening, Geoffrey Warner Studio, Stonington, ME. Group Show at Deer Isle Artists' Association, Deer Isle, ME.
2002	Solo show, Pemetic Gallery, Northeast Harbor, ME. Maine Coast Artists, Rockland, ME.
2001	Group Show, Deer Isle Artists' Association, Deer Isle, ME.
1990	Benchmark: Furniture for the Nineties, Gallery Fair, Mendocino, CA.
1989	Contemporary Furniture Expressions, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, CT.
1988	Lighting and Screens, Sansar, Washington, DC. Delaware Art Museum, DE. Joint Ventures, Workbench Gallery, NY.
1987	New Art Forms Exhibit, Chicago, IL.
1986	Celebration of American Crafts, Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, CT.
1984	Art of the Rhode Island Designer Craftsman, Newport Art Museum, RI.
Publications
2007	Boston Globe, Travel section
2006	Ellsworth American, Art and Leisure section
1999	This Old House
1996	Country Living
1995	American Bungalow Home Furniture
1993	Interiors: Style Watch of Colonial Homes, Rhode Island Magazine
1991	Architectural Digest, "AD at Large"
1990	WLNE 6 News, "We Love New England"
1989	Portfolio, American Craft Magazine
1988	Woodshop News, Fine Woodworking, American Craft Magazine
1987	The New York Times, American Craft Magazine
1986	Metropolis, American Craft Magazine
Awards And Competitions
2011	Federally-funded micro-grant/-loan, Town of Stonington, $25K
2008	Director's Award for Jewelry Cabinet, Maine Crafts' Association, Daniel Kany Gallery, Portland, ME Design proposal selected for furnishings, Maine Center for Craft, west Gardiner, ME
1986	Artists' Society, International Nomination
1987	Artists' Liaison, Santa Monica, CA Galleries Elect, Los Angeles, CA
Teaching
2010-2011	Teacher, Owl® Stool Workshops
1988-2008	Apprentices' Mentor, Geoffrey Warner Studio, ME
2006	Teacher, 5-week multiples' class, The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME
2005	Furniture Workshop for Seamark Community Arts, Deer Isle, ME
1996	Lecturer, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockland, ME
Education
1983-1984	Rhode Island School of Design, Providence,RI Major: Furniture Design Studied under: Tage Frid - Furniture Design
1972-1975	Rhode Island School of Design, Providence,RI Major: Photography Studied under: Harry Callahan

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GEOFFREY WARNER STUDIO 207.367.6555

43 N MAIN ST. (RT 15) PO BOX 710 STONINGTON MAINE 04681