About Gordon Miller

My background is varied from heavy industry to cabinetry and furniture building. I have always taken a less-than-traditional approach to design and construction. When I consider a project, materials, building methods and style should all work together to provide a natural blending of color, line and form that maximizes the impact of the project.

Materials

I use local hardwoods (Midwest) with a few mixed exotics. Most of my lumber has come from local woodlots where I harvest trees that have been damaged by wind or other trauma.

I use low VOC finishes wherever possible with a shellac sealer. I avoid stain, preferring to allow the color and character of the wood to shine through. I have been experimenting with natural stains like walnut husks, dyes such as vinegar and steel wool and other methods of treating or distressing lumber to achieve a desired, sometimes dramatic effect.

GMW Designs & Customer Custom Designs

My personal style is a mix of modern, rustic and Arts & Crafts. I use a lot of natural edge or "live edge" slab wood with knots, checks and non-structural splits. Function as well as form is necessary with all of my projects.