Duncan MacMaster Custom Woodworking

Duncan MacMaster, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, is a master craftsman who practices and teaches the art of traditional Japanese hand tools. Custom Craftsmanship. I create in a number of styles; each work made with care and attention, seeking integrity in style, function and material. My furniture is made one piece at a time, either of my own design or in conjunction with clients or designers. Each piece of furniture and each custom project contains the conscious attention and unique beauty of many hours of handwork. Traditional Techniques. I use exquisite Japanese hand tools in construction and finishing for everything I do. These tools have been bred over a number of centuries, by great masters, to do their work exceedingly well. For example, all of the wood surfaces you see have been hand-planed, not sanded. Although the surfaces are sometimes not as perfectly homogeneous as sanded surfaces, a sharp blade slices the cells, leaving a surface that is a delight to touch and see. Wood planed and burnished this way refracts light beautifully without the need for thick plastic finishes. Instead, this wood has been treated with a non-toxic resin oil varnish, which penetrates, seals, and enhances the coloration. Enduring Quality. Solid wood is a wonderful substance. No two pieces are alike. Color and grain characteristics are innumerable. It is often a great challenge to work wood by hand, but it is this attention to proportion, color, grain and detail that put feeling and consciousness into the work. Investing in the finest materials and custom craftsmanship is to treat oneself to natural beauty that lasts.