The dictionary defines a product that is bench-made as “individually produced and finished, as on a carpenter’s bench; custom-made.” The raw materials referenced are leather and wood, two of the mainstays used to create our high-end furniture. Though quite a few furniture purveyors claim to be selling bench-made furniture, there are degrees to the seriousness of the term and we have noticed a number of them falling short when it comes to quality that will last longer than a lifetime.
Recently, a couple who had bought what they believed to be a high-quality sofa produced by a major American manufacturer sat on one of our sofas at a dinner party. Without any prompting from us, they looked at each other and expressed dismay that they had settled for less than they could have: It was a moment of great pride for us. The phrase bench-made is so much more than a buzzword for us, as the process it represents defines our level of precision and the expertise that our craftspeople bring to the table (or upholstered piece), which results in furniture that surpasses expectations time and again.
Things that are taken into consideration include whether a piece of furniture looks just as beautiful from the back as it does from the front. This untethers a sofa, chair, chaise or sectional from being shoved against a wall or into a corner. The sturdiness of the frame and the strength of the construction are critical factors in a well-made piece of upholstery. Then, the skill with which the upholsters who wrap the frame in padding and fabric, and who add the finishing touches that make the piece aesthetically pleasing are crucial to the refinement that the term bench-made implies. We are so confident in the abilities of our artisans, we’ll put our detailing, such as whipstitching, up against anyone’s!
Our process demands that every order is essentially custom built – there simply are no designs by the hundreds sitting in a warehouse waiting to be shipped to mass-produced sales outlets. Don’t let this concern you regarding lead-time, as we’re fast on our feet in turning around our remarkable pieces. That’s because most of the professional woodworkers we employ to build them and the artisans we have chosen to hire to add the finishing touches have been practicing their crafts for decades—these talented individuals work for us exclusively.
A walk through our factory will find them bending over the cutting tables where leather and fabric are turned into an array of pieces that will coalesce into a fabulous covering, their serious concentration proving how passionate they are about their work. The carpenters take up their tools with vigor. The finishers caress the hides they are customizing with such a hearty rubbing, it’s inspiring to watch.
Whether your stylistic tendencies run along the lines of traditional, transitional or contemporary, we have a collection that will suit your tastes. If we don’t, we will make it. That’s how committed we are to producing furniture that everyone will love. Send us your dream piece so we can start the process of collaborating with you to produce it. It’s that simple. Karina is at the ready to guide you through each phase of the rewarding undertaking.