Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendrick Anderson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Other than building really bad skateboard ramps and forts growing up, woodworking did not enter my life until my early twenties. While finishing my degree in English literature, I became transfixed with the idea of building a table by hand. I hastily sought out any and every custom woodworking shop I could find in the Atlanta area, quickly coming to the conclusion that I was more of a liability than an asset for most shops.
Fortunately, Doug Turner of Turner Custom Woodworking eventually took me in after I made my amazing pitch: “I don’t know anything about building furniture, but I’m willing to work for free to learn!” The first time I witnessed wonky, warped, rough sawn boards be transformed into flat, stable, pristine furniture components I was hooked. It was trial by fire, learning on the go from job to job. Through working with Doug, I eventually met Benjamin Osborne, who would become my teacher, mentor and friend over the next 5 years.
Benjie was the first person to introduce me to the world of studio art furniture – making furniture as an expression of art, rather than a business. Benjie took me in as an apprentice over the next year and a half, teaching me how to make the best work possible, using joinery to highlight the aesthetics of a piece and how there should be the intention behind what you are making.
Seeking even more training in the world of studio art furniture, in February of 2009 I packed it all up and moved to Maine to study at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship (CFC). CFC teaches traditional, time-honored techniques in furniture construction while allowing students the freedom to design in contemporary forms.
After a 3 month intensive program focused on hand tool skills, classic case piece construction and wood bending techniques, I was awarded an assistantship to remain at the school for another 3 months assisting some of the best teachers from around the world. My time at CFC was pivotal to who I am and the work I create today.
Wrapping it up, when I returned from Maine I set up a very humble shop in my uncle’s 800sqft barn. I began taking my first commissions here and there in 2011. In the fall of 2014, I made the decision to turn furniture making into my full-time career. Today I occupy a 2,200sqft studio at Fair Street Studios in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
Has it been a smooth road?
My years spent learning were some of the best years of my life. I am forever indebted to Doug, Benjie and CFC for their willingness to teach and invest in me as a designer/maker.
Starting a business, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. It has taken me years to accumulate the machines I have today to make furniture. You also need a lot of space if you want to make large things, space that can get dirty, but nice enough to control factors like humidity.
Then you need some way to power those machines within that space. I personally like older machines, which generally run on 3 phase power, so finding a space that works for all of the above can be tricky. Then throw zoning into the mix. Physically making the furniture has become the easy part. It’s just me, with 1-2 interns throughout the year.
Managing all of the other aspects – clients, emails, cash flow, insurance, taxes, licenses, etc… that has become the challenge – but I truly love making beautiful things, so you figure out how to make it work.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kendrick Anderson Furniture Maker story. Tell us more about the business.
I create one-of-a-kind of commissioned furniture for clients: Credenzas, tables, chairs, beds, etc. Most pieces are in direct relationship with the client in which I hear their needs/ideas and design a piece just for them. I never make the same piece twice unless consent is given from the client.
Occasionally I work with designers/architects to build pieces per their designs/clients. Occasionally I build custom pieces for restaurants with names like Staplehouse, Kimball House, Empire State South, Octane (RIP), The Mercury
I am most proud of the fact that I simply believe in my work, and don’t need to hide behind marketing gimmicks like “reclaimed” or “handcrafted” or “I’m the grandson of a Sawyer, who’s father was also a Sawyer, and son of a custom home builder” – even though all three of those things are true. The work should speak for itself.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I don’t really consider myself as part of the “industry” simply because it’s just me and I’m not trying to grow and be a large commercial shop. The industry is moving heavily into technology, CNC production, and a “make it as fast as you can” mentality. I fully support those efforts and there are some great pieces being produced under those business models – it’s just not what I want to be.
I think in the last 5 years or so there has been a big shift for custom shops moving into more spec work – meaning designing/building furniture as part of a small batch line. This is definitely a shift that I am interested in. I’m currently in preliminary stages of producing well-crafted spec pieces using uncommon materials such as plaster, leather, brass, bronze.
This is in collaboration with renaissance man Ryan Hancock who is also a talented woodworker among other things. Instagram is an obvious double-edged sword that is popular among maker types these days. On the one hand, it’s great for connecting with others in your field and being inspired by work from around the world.
On the other hand, it’s all smoke and mirrors – terribly made furniture being described as heirloom quality and people falling for it. It’s sad really, that people feel ok with deceiving their customer base just to gain followers and “look” like the real deal. Ok… enough on that.
Pricing:
- Dining tables = $4,500 – $10,000
- Casework/credenzas = $4,000 – $8,000
- Beds = $4,000 – $8,000
- Chairs = $800 – $2,000
Contact Info:
- Address: 431 Fair St SW
Atlanta, GA 30313 - Website: www.kendrickanderson.com
- Phone: 404-401-4365
- Email: kendrickanderson@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kafurniture
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kendrick-Anderson-Furniture-Maker-132619546876358/
Image Credit:
Andrew Thomas Lee, Chase Anderson
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