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

I feel fortunate having studied furniture design at the Rhode Island School of Design under the talented Danish master and teacher, the late Tage Frid. He taught me to design with practicality, build with integrity and work with efficiency, but most importantly, not to compromise beauty.

Having passed through many design phases and completing hundreds of pieces, I have mastered a high level of skill in conceptualizing and solving design problems. My early work drew from arts and crafts, Japanese, Danish and Art Nouveau influences. Today I look at my work as functional sculpture, where nature can be a strong influence. Interplay between curved and straight lines and negative and positive spaces are frequently incorporated. I like to engage people's senses while they interact with my furniture. The inside of a jewelry cabinet may be built with Spanish cedar for its wonderful aroma, the edge of a table top, or the surface of a pull carved to engage the sense of touch. Exposed dovetails or wedged tenons can be applied to create rhythm and to educate one on how a piece of furniture is constructed. A beautiful highly figured or colorful board can be enough to carry success into a commission, which, having been designed with simplicity, allows the reverence of the wood to speak on its own without distraction.

After 30 years of interpreting customer needs I have refined the design and construction process to be accurate, efficient, and economical.

I draw from traditional joinery techniques when practical. My end goal is to create quality craftsmanship in unique and beautiful ways. My furniture and cabinetry will endure for proud and satisfied customers to pass on to their children and grandchildren.


Commissions	A partial list includes:
2008	Designed and built central cash desk for Center for Maine Craft in West Gardiner, Maine Living room sofa, chair and occasional tables, jewelry display cabinets, rotating- stools
2006-2007	Began employing sub-contracted partners to help produce Stonington Furniture Collection designs using limited production techniques, including music stands, continuous arm dining chairs, library stairs in a choice of woods Designed, contracted, and built kitchen addition and furniture for private residence in Sedgewick, ME Designed, built extensive custom cabinetry, furnishings for private estate, Moosehead Lake in Greenville
2005-2006	Began introducing a new line of furniture called The Stonington Furniture Collection. Continuing to design and build cabinetry and furniture for our customers. Expanded shop by 30% and major machinery upgrades (to keep up with customer demands)
2004-2005	Designed, contracted, and built kitchen addition and furniture for Caroline Hecker at The Pearson Gallery on Deer Isle, Maine
2004	Commissioned to design and build a 12' x 10' solid cherry mobile inspired by water reflections.
2002-2003	Designed, built, and moved into new studio/shop/gallery in Stonington, Maine. Designed and built furniture and cabinetry for the Post residence on Cape Rosier, Maine (A Robert W. Knight designed house)
2002	Designed and built dining table for Cassatt-Osgood residence, Brooksville, Maine
1988-2004	Completed dozens of furniture and cabinetry commissions for customers throughout the United States, including tables, chairs, desks, lamps, entertainment centers, stained glass doors, beds, kitchens, and a tree house.
1996	Built new fine woodworking shop on Deer Isle, Maine. Moved to Maine.
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.
1993	Designed seating for Charlotte, Inc. Belding, MI. Designed and built furniture for Felissimo, New York City.
1992-1993	Designed and built a contemporary post and beam home for my family on Deer Isle, Maine.
1990-1991	Designed and built a variety of furniture commissions, including permanent pieces for the new Aidekman Art Center at Tufts University, MA.
1990	Designed and built permanent furniture for Merrin Gallery on Fifth Ave., New York City.
1984-1988	Commissioned by Louise Fitting Associates, Inc. to design and build furniture for installations at two Trump Tower condominiums in New York City. Designed and built furniture, cabinetry, and circular stairs for other Trump Tower Condominiums.
1987	Commissioned by Pawling Properties Associates to design and build furniture for new Ziff family estates in Pawling, NY.
1984	Assisted John Dunigan in preparing furniture for show at Gallery Henoch in New York City.
1982-1983	Commissioned by various clients to design and build furniture, including furniture for the office of the Dean of Architecture and planning at M.I.T., MA - bookcases, file cabinets, receptionist's desk, conference table, and writing desk.
Galleries	My work has been represented by the following galleries:
	Geoffrey Warner Studio, Stonington, ME The Cultural Embassy, High Point, NC Pemetic Gallery, Mount Desert Isle, ME Blue Heron Gallery, Deer Isle, ME Harbor Square Gallery, Rockland, ME Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA Sansar, Washington, DC Pritam and Eames, East Hampton, NY Franklin Parrasch Gallery, New York, NY
Shows	A partial list includes:
2008	Maine Crafts Association Show at Daniel Kany Gallery Work of the Hand, The Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME The Cultural Embassy, opening exhibition for Design Week, High Point, NC
2007	"Getting Personal": Maine Architects Design Furniture, Portland Museum of Art, ME
2006	RISD at Midcoast, Center for Maine Contemporary Arts, Rockport, ME
2006	Getting Personal; Maine Architects Design Furniture, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME
2006	New Work by Faculty, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME
2005	The Wood Show, The Center For Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME
2005	Water, The Center For Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME
2004	The Maine Woodworkers Association, Group Show at Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockland, ME
2004	Group Show at Deer Isle Artists Association, Deer Isle, ME
2002	Solo show at the Pemetic Gallery, Northeast Harbor, ME Maine Coast Artists, Rockland, ME
2001	Group Show at 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
2008	Maine Home + Design, September Issue
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	American Craft Magazine, Portfolio
1988	Woodshop News Fine Woodworking American Craft Magazine
1987	New York Times American Craft Magazine
1986	American Craft Magazine Metropolis
Awards And Competitions
2008	Director's Award, Maine Crafts Association at Daniel Kany Gallery, Portland, ME For Jewelry Cabinet, (birds-eye maple, Spanish cedar)
1986	Artists Society, International Nomination
1987	Artists Liaison, Santa Monica, CA Galleries Elect, Los Angeles, CA
Teaching
1988-2004	Mentor of apprentices in my shop
1996	Lectured at 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