Rhodes Ave. Woodsmith

                                  Handcrafted Wood Furniture and Custom Cabinets

"Do You Sell What You Build ?"

When I started building furniture, it was a hobby and lots of what I've built has been for family, close friends, or for my Church as donations.  As time as gone by, I have done a few projects "For Hire" that were items I've built before or custom items.  All of the projects I've built are shown in the Gallery page.  There are some custom items and restorations listed on the site, but I do those types of projects in limited numbers cause of the time required, custom measurements, and possible hiring of extra help.   

One of the points I emphasize upon is that this is a part-time operation right now.  My schedule is basically two or three evenings during weeknights.  If hired, I will be dedicated to complete the project in a timely manner, but I'm not going to have the "turn-a-round" time frame like full time shops with a staff.  When I am working on a project, it is to the satisfaction of the customer and constructed to last for many many years... and that will take time.  Generally, four to six weeks has been about the average turn-around time for a project out of my shop.  Specialty or custom "built-in" items can take eight weeks or longer plus a few visits to the "job site" to insure proper fit before trim and/or the finish are applied. 

There is a perception that what I will sell for is cheaper than those discount, "Big Box" stores.  Unfortunately that is not the case...  In fact, it's quite the opposite.  The reason is quality.  I use solid hardwood in my projects.  (If I state the item is solid Cherry, it's Solid Cherry.) If there is sheet stock in a piece or in a cabinet, it is Cabinet Grade A-1, hardwood skinned plywood.  (The best there is.)  I do not use MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) or particleboard in my projects.  High quality will lead to long use out of the cabinet or furniture item(s), and that will come at a higher price compared to discount stores that use MDF and/or particleboard.  So where does my price range end up being?  Basically it's a bit higher or in line with a local, high-end Furniture Store. 

When I build furniture, I use tried & true methods used for many years by other furniture makers that produce high quality products.  For example:  In the French Side Table pictured above, there are a few parts that make up the drawer frame as well as the sides and back of the drawer.  It would be a waste to make those parts out of Cherry that will rarely see the light of day.  So I do what some furniture companies do to keep the cost down.  I'll make those parts out of Poplar, a less expensive hardwood.  It does a great job for frames and drawer sides yet keeps the Cherry for where the Cherry will be seen.  

Do you want to pass on furniture and the memories associated with it to another generation, or trash it in three to five years?  I create heirlooms. 

If you are interested in an item shown on this website, please send an email on the link below with your contact number and I'll call you to discuss it.  I'm located in the St. Louis MO. metropolitan area. 

Photos property of Rhodes Ave. Woodsmith LLC

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