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Welcome
to Paulus Fine Furniture.
Creating, constructing, building has always been very fulfilling
to me. I built my first pieces some 25 years ago. Simple and
basic cabinets, though my friends liked them and were eager
to have them in their homes. And about 10 years ago I built
a 14-foot sailboat from some simple drawings. I have to say
that I had more fun building the boat than sailing it!
Woodworking is in my genes. I was born and raised in the Netherlands,
where my father and uncle were both craftsman. I feel that through
them, I inherited a sense for beauty, harmony and balance. |
Often
in the past people suggested that I make a living with my hands,
and finally I have acted on these suggestions. After many years
in a managerial position (where my design skills received international
recognition through my PowerPoint presentations at telecom conferences),
I made a career change and entered the Fine Woodworking Program
at Haywood Community College in North Carolina. This nationally
renowned program admits only eight students per year, and I
was fortunate enough to be one of them.
Since that time I have devoted myself to developing the skills
that allow me to make the items here on display.
Although I work within the four walls of a studio, my mind enjoys
traveling beyond the limitations of traditional designs. This
is where the creative ideas start, capturing that first idea
and all the possibilities for its development.
The creative process starts with sketches, full-size drawings,
and full-scale models. Sometimes a piece progresses step-by-step:
first the legs, then the aprons and finally the top. All along
the way I play with different possibilities using plain cardboard
to visualize the evolving character of the piece.
I craft pieces of furniture that are a pleasure to live with
- harmonious creations of functionality and beauty.
Cherry, maple, walnut, butternut, birch, apple wood and sycamore
are some of my favorite woods to work with.
Through my work I have created a fulfilling life for my wife
and myself, while adding comfort and harmony to the living and
working environment of my clients.
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