Boston Design Blog

Michael Humphries Woodworking To Celebrate 35 Years in Business

Warwick, MA – 2010 marks the 35th anniversary of Michael Humphries Woodworking, Inc., a custom cabinetry, architectural millwork and handcrafted furniture company. To kick-off the year, Michael Humpies Woodworking has purchased state-of-the-art equipment and is merging their Warwick, MA shop into their newly renovated Northfield, MA shop. The consolidation of the two shops will increase efficiency and productivity through more direct in house communications, enabling the business to better serve Boston and the greater metropolitan area. New York City, the Connecticut coast and Cape Cod and the islands continue to be a strong market for the company.

The new equipment, a computerized edge-bander, panel saw and molder will be the back bone of the millroom’s cabinet and curved molding departments and have been eagerly anticipated.

Michael Humphries says, “We are at last seeing increased activity in the construction and renovation market. It’s not a dramatic increase but it’s very encouraging and is timed just right for our efforts to upgrade the shop, offices and machinery.”

For more information, please visit the website www.michaelhumphries.com or call (978) 544-2694

Michael Humphries Woodworking Launches a Newly Upgraded Website

Michael Humphries Woodworking Inc., manufacturer of premium quality, high-end cabinetry, millwork, and furniture, is pleased to announce the launch of a newly designed and upgraded website at www.michaelhumphries.com.

In business since 1975, Michael Humphries Woodworking has developed a great reputation for delivering quality work on time and on budget. Check out their website to see what they can do - their work spans a variety of mediums and styles, from traditional to contemporary that guarantees Michael Humphries Woodworking has the knowledge and skill to create something for everyone.

JH Klein Wassink participates in Ironworking, Sculpting and Carpentry: A Spring Field Trip to West Concord's Artisan Workshops

The New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America announces Ironworking, Sculpting and Carpentry: A Spring Field Trip to West Concord's Artisan Workshops hosted by Susan and Carl Close, Jr.

Saturday, April 25, 2009
12PM - 4PM
Hammersmith Studios
50 Beharrell Street
Concord, MA 01742

Enjoy an afternoon tour of three artisan studios in West Concord. Start at Hammersmith Studios where Carl Close will give a lecture and demonstration on traditional ironworking techniques. Participants will take home their own hand-forged iron coat hook. Next, learn about life size human forms modeled in clay at the West Concord Sculpture Studio. End the tour with a lecture and demonstration on custom millwork and cabinetry at the new workshop of JH Klein Wassink Woodworks. This will be a unique, up close opportunity to learn from three experts in the allied arts.

Light lunch at noon; wine and cheese at the conclusion of the tour.
Members of the ICA & CA: $35.00; Non-members: $45.00 (checks only).
RSVP to: Susan Close, info@hammersmithstudio.com 978-369-5424
Hammersmith Studios, 50 Beharrel Street, Concord, MA 01742

Michael Humphries Woodworking Uses Luxury Woods in Traditional and Contemporary Settings

Luxury woods never go out of style. For discerning homeowners wanting the very best, custom woodwork is essential. Exotic hardwoods such as rosewood, satinwood, mahogany, ebony and zebra woods are gracing well appointed homes today more than ever before. Michael Humphries Woodworking, Inc. has specialized in using these opulent woods for more than three decades. Whether sleek modern kitchen cabinetry or a traditional beverage center, the use of rare woods lends a stately air to any room.

The denseness and richness of color in the exotic woods is unparalleled. Rich vermilions of rosewood or brilliant gold in satinwood, to mention a few of many choices, offer stunning complements to the paint, fabric, metal and stone components of room design. Similar effects can be garnered using paint grade wood treated with fabulous faux details, bright colors or, even, gold or silver leafing. Another designer look that Michael Humphries creates is with the use of inlays and broad surface treatments such as copper, stainless steel, resin panels and leather.

In contemporary design, the current trend is to accentuate the continuous horizontal elements of a kitchen, office or bathroom, by running the grain horizontally rather than vertically across various cabinets. The linear quality of the wood’s grain and colors should be stronger than the figure. For example, using zebra wood on a long bathroom double vanity yields a striking effect.

With its more traditional look, mahogany is an excellent selection for libraries, foyers and arched millwork. In particular, the exceptional “rowed” or striped figure of African mahogany shimmers under any light when used in a horizontal configuration.

Michael Humphries Woodworking
77 White Road Warwick, MA 01378
T: 978-544-2694
www.michaelhumphries.com

Kochman Reidt + Haigh Expands their Focus to Fine Furniture

Kochman Reidt + Haigh Cabinetmakers recently welcomed three exceptional talents to their team: Keith Cornell, Paul Smith, and Jonathan McLean. All three are skilled furniture makers who have achieved years of success as independent craftsman.

As masters trained in the tradition of Old World craftsmanship, Cornell, Smith and McLean will share their skills and insights with fellow KR+H woodworkers, elevating an already high standard of practice. Their arrival will also expand KR+H's ability to offer custom-made fine furniture--from tables and chairs to desks and armoires--created in a range of styles and complementing KR+H's cabinetry.

For more information about Kochman Reidt + Haigh Cabinetmakers and their expanded focus on fine furniture please visit their website at www.cabinetmakers.com  

Van Millwork's Third Annual Festival of Wreaths

Classes with Master Carver Dimitrios Klitsas

Join Dimitrios Klitsas, an accomplished fine wood sculptor, for classes in which he will pass on his lifetime of experience in producing one-of-a-kind museum-quality wood carvings. The classes are a great opportunity to enjoy the solitude of a creative atmosphere and the fellowship of other artists while nestled in the quiet hills of Hampden, MA.

If you are interested in participating in the wood carving classes or discussing your vision, please contact Dimitrios Klitsas at (413) 566-5301 or visit his website www.klitsas.com for more information.

In The Spirit of Collaboration: When Classic Meets Modern

Creating Contemporary Spaces with Victorian Accents

Architecture by LDa Architects, Inc.; Custom Built by F.H. Perry Builder; Architectural Millwork by Michael Humphries Woodworking; Photography by Greg Premru; Text by Chrissy Makkas

LDa Architects, FH Perry Builder and Michael Humphries Woodworking came together to transform the kitchen, bath and mudroom of this traditional Victorian home for a family with modern tastes. More and more in today’s world people want to come home to a relaxing environment with clean lines and open spaces – to a place where their mind can relax and the stress and chaos of day-to-day life can be left behind.

In The Spirit of Collaboration: Into The Woods

Bringing the Outside In

Architecture by Adolfo Perez Architect; Custom Built by Bensley & Gaboury; Architectural Millwork by Herrick & White, Ltd.; Interior Design by Duffy Design Group; Photography by Greg Premru; Text by Chrissy Makkas

Rich colors, natural materials, clean lines and open spaces combine to create this beautiful contemporary home with a focus on bringing the outside in and enhancing the view. Situated on a secluded acre and a half plot of land in suburban Massachusetts, this home’s location initially presented a design challenge.  Wetlands to the north and a large steep ledge outcrop to the south limited the design possibilities, but architect Adolfo Perez was able to rise to the challenge. “The solution I came up with for locating the house was to orient it towards the wetlands, which I realized was the best view – private, wooded, serene – undevelopable,” he says. “As the design developed it became clear that the wetlands presented an opportunity, as it is an unspoiled habitat and view.”