Madera is made up of a small team of highly-skilled woodworking artisans with diverse backgrounds.
Carlos Taylor-Swanson
Coming from a family of educators, artists and amateur woodworkers, our founder, Carlos Taylor-Swanson has a professional woodworking background that stretches back over 30 years to a Chicago area picture framing shop and follows a circuitous route through the art world, rough and finish carpentry and luxury yacht interiors. The values that have prevailed throughout his journey – strict attention to all details and quality without compromise – became the foundation of Madera’s business ethos.
New to the Madera team, Steve Birdsall, has a long and rich background as a cabinet and furniture builder. He finds inspiration in this Faulkner quote: “Don’t bother being better than your predecessors or contemporaries, but rather be better than yourself.”
About Sustainability -
Questions about sustainability and environmental friendliness are being asked more and more these days about the wood and wood products that go into our work. Because environmental responsibility runs deep in our personal lives we can assure our clients that they are getting a product that not only will last for generations but one that was made in consideration of those future generations.
Finally environmental stewardship has become a mainstream issue. And as a result many woods, veneers and other wood products are now available certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). All domestic solid woods like cherry, maple and walnut are available with FSC certification, as are many exotics such as mahogany, bubinga and teak. We also always buy certified plywoods whenever possible and all of the fiber based platform material (mdf) we use is from 100% recycled wood fibers with no added formaldehyde. Our commitment to environmental sustainability is such that if the material is available certified, there is no reason not to use it.
We also recently implemented this reasoning into our finishing and now offer new high-tech waterborne finishes that deliver the same results as the more traditional solvent based finishes. We also offer hand rubbed, natural oil and wax finishes.
More about us…
Where to Find Us…
From I-5 Northbound and Southbound, take the downtown Tacoma exit (I 705) merge right to exit to the Tacoma Dome. At the end of the ramp (S. 26th st.) turn left. At the second light (Pacific Ave.) turn right, proceed to S. 23rd and turn right. Turn left onto Court A (alley) and we’re halfway up the block on the left.
For customized driving directions from your location and a larger map, see our address through MapQuest.
