Madera Architectural Elements, our artisan collective, collaborated on a racy installation this month entitled “Don’t Look!” The idea was to create custom furnishings around a single theme and in this case it became a theatric boudoir. Why a boudoir? Mostly it was inspired by “Entrance Denied,” the scheduled show in Mineral, the gallery next door to our planned location for the installation. With a fair bit of collaboration from Wade Martin of Axis Cut Parts, I designed and built an interesting platform bed from solid mahogany and sapele. The textures in the headboard and sides mimic the movement of flickering flames or undulating fabrics. Here’s a review on the shows. Pictures will follow soon!
Welcome
Madera manufactures original, custom furniture and cabinetry for commercial and residential clients. We are a small, highly productive firm capable of taking on a wide array of projects from single stand-alone pieces to entire homes and office suites. Because of our integrity and our commitment to quality craftsmanship we promise our clients exceptional, long lasting value.
Introducing Madera Architectural Elements! For the last three years Gallery Madera, our showroom/gallery space has made a memorable impact within the Tacoma art scene. This past November the gallery evolved into a dynamic showroom featuring the work of 13 Pacific Northwest artisans creating original building components and furnishings! Find out more on our gallery page and below in our What’s Happening blog!
What’s Happening…
Doing our part…more than custom furniture
Earlier this month we had the opportunity to help out Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and their annual fundraiser, Zoobilee, by building 9 platforms for performers to dance upon. With plywood donated by Gray Lumber we split the tasks around the shop and nearly everyone played a part in making BCRA‘s design come to life. Then we took on the back drop screens with a ton of help from Wade at Axis Cut Parts. Thanks to his programming skills and generosity the curvaceous sails went together flawlessly. BCRA put together a team of volunteers to paint the boxes and wrap the frames for the background. It was doubtless a group effort and it was amazing how we all came together for the cause: supporting an important educational opportunity in our community.
Intern turns into Apprentice!
Back in January when Ryan was interning with us through the SOTA J-Term Internships he had expressed his desire to learn more about custom woodworking. So we tossed around the idea of an apprenticeship after his graduation. In between Ryan completed his senior community project here in the shop – an out door bench made from a red oak tree I had salvaged from city utility work. In June he started his apprenticeship! Welcome Ryan.
Thanks to our interns!
Earlier this year we were fortunate enough to have two awesome high school seniors from SOTA intern with us. Kenzie Ballew primarily worked at updating our various electronic media and Ryan Holbrook worked in the shop making a few display items and shelving. The highlight for both of them was an installation of scrap wood strips they made for our showroom. In a creative collaboration they successfully achieved exactly what I had set them on course to do. So here’s an overdue thank you and congrats to Ryan and Kenzie!
Incidentally, Ryan is now apprenticing with us in the shop!
Elroy’s Chair going to benefit for NW Furniture bank!
The Northwest Furniture Bank is hosting a fund raising auction on March 4 at the Tacoma Art Museum. Dubbed the Chair Affair, the event will be an auction of artfully embellished chairs from over 50 regional artists. Most participants started with old and worn out chairs and creatively decorated them in interesting and fun themes.
I, on the other hand, built a chair form some scraps laying around the shop. “Elroy’s Chair” is made from purple heart and a combination of poplar plywood and aircraft plywood.
MAE opening soiree, in a word, WOW!
After months of planning and anticipation the Grand Opening celebration for Madera Architectural Elements was a fabulous success! The turnout was great with well over 100 attendees. Thanks to everyone who came to show their support!
The MAE showroom is now open. Hours are usually Monday through Friday 11:00 – 3:00 and by appointment. Check out the MAE website for information on any of the participating artisans. If there is a particular artisan that you would like to meet, feel free to contact them to set up a personal showing.
Madera Architectural Elements coming Nov. 22!!!
For the past 3 years, Gallery Madera has showcased an amazing variety of original art from Tacoma’s creative. Twenty select shows have featured paintings, ceramics, glass, metal sculpture, contemporary furniture and more from well over 100 local and regional artists.Building upon this history as a popular venue for originality, the gallery will shift its focus this November from the work of artists to the creations of artisans and become the showroom for Madera Architectural Elements (MAE).MAE is a collective of Pacific Northwest artisans all of whom design and fabricate exceptional building components and furnishings. Members include: Ixia Tile – custom ceramic tile, Shape 3 – metalwork, Mindy Barker – mural and faux texture painting, Pacific Rim Tapestries – textile weaving, Turner Furniture – upholstery, Lynn DiNino – anything cement, Burnett Forge – artist blacksmith, Jennevieve Schlemmer - architectural mosaics, AlterEco Countertops – custom countertops, Steve Lawler – re-Furniture, Diane Roberts – stained/fused glass, Christopher Hoppin - green walls and Lucite lighting fixtures and, of course, Madera Fine Decorative Furnishings – furniture and cabinetry.
What we’re creating is one-stop-shopping location for all of your architectural element needs. Whether you’re a homeowner, designer or builder you’ll be able to visit MAE and see what is new and exciting in contemporary furnishings and artisan-made building components.
Join us Sunday November 22 from Noon – 5:00 for a gala opening celebration for Madera Architectural Elements.
Our portfolio – Creative Interior Solutions – now available on Blurb.com
We recently published a portfolio of completed furniture and casework projects. Entitled Creative Interior Solutions the book showcases a selection of Madera’s work ranging from small end tables to entire office suites. You can preview the book here – and even order your own copy, too!
Real Functional Furniture!
Here is a short video of a built-in bookcase we recently completed.
The Quick and Dirty is here again!
This Saturday Team Benchdog Regime will again take to the waters of Commencement Bay with the annual Quick and Dirty Boat Building Competition. We’ll get 4 sheets of 1/4″ plywood, 6 2 x 4s, 100 screws, 2 tubes of fast cure caulk, a mystery material and 6 hours to build a raceable boat!
For us this is a incredibly fun diversion and an entertaining way for us to take part in a great Tacoma community tradition. Check out the Maritime Festival Website! Some pics from 2008…
