Johnson Woodworks – Furniture Design & Fabrication in Amherst, MA

Services include custom furniture design and fabrication, built-in elements, and small scale remodeling. We are based in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Beginning with an introductory course in wood carving as an undergraduate at Colorado State University, I developed a fascination with the material world and its tactile relationships. After receiving a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1993, I embarked on a career as a commercial sculptor, working in St. Louis, Missouri and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Working in a wide variety of materials from traditional — clay, wood and metals, to contemporary — polyurethane foam and rubbers, used for pattern and mold making, to polyester resin, fiberglass and epoxies used in casting — I fostered a set of skills in problem solving and physical adroitness that I have translated into the discipline of furniture design and fabrication and the construction of built in custom elements for the home.

As an artist, I regard each square inch of a particular piece as relevant, demanding meticulous consideration. I strive to establish a dialogue between form, function and material through which the best design and workmanship shines forth.

~ Bill Johnson

Bill’s work is first rate. No matter if the project is big or small (he built all of our kitchen cabinetry, he’s also repaired antique furniture), he brings the same level of fastidiousness to everything he does. He is a perfectionist, and his work shows it. In addition, he is just a very pleasant and decent person to have around.

I've hired Bill numerous times over the past five years. He is an outstanding artisan who built a beautiful sideboard for me, as well as a cleanly-designed kitchen table. He has repaired and restored two chests of drawers for me, as well as a linen chest, and a battered little table from my grandmother's attic that, using his imagination and good taste, he painted in pleasing colors to bring it back to vivid life. I recommend him with the highest of praise. I look at the furniture in my home he has created and worked on, and think of them as pieces of art.

I came to Bill with an unformed idea for asymmetric shelving around our fireplace. He listened patiently as I stumbled to express it, then carefully crafted a design plan, and expertly executed it. He was communicative, reliable, and lovely to chat with to boot. And now I smile every time I walk through our living room. Thanks Bill.

Mary and I have worked with Bill on two custom projects. The first was a coffee table that would discretely hide a flat-screen TV when not in use. Bill worked through various designs with us and was inventive, responsive, and artful in all things. We ended up with a one-of-a-kind object that fits our living room and style perfectly. The second project was a love seat to fit a specific corner in our house. Again we worked through the design process with Bill, consulting on timber choices and solutions to possible structural problems. The result is a beautiful piece of furniture that we will cherish for generations.

Johnson Woodworks and Remodeling, LLC is a custom design and build company where every job, no matter the size, is addressed with acute attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Services include custom furniture design and fabrication, built-in elements, and small scale remodeling. We are based in Amherst, Massachusetts.