George Nakashima Woodworkers

“Nakashima furniture is meant to be lived with as a member of the family, full of imperfections as we all are, but maintaining a sense of balance and equanimity through all stages of life.”

George Nakashima Woodworkers, located in New Hope, Pennsylvania, is a renowned woodworking studio and furniture workshop known for its exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to preserving the natural beauty of wood. Founded by George Nakashima, a Japanese-American woodworker and architect, the studio has a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century.

George Nakashima's work is characterized by a deep reverence for the organic and unique qualities of each piece of wood he worked with. He is celebrated for his innovative use of large, natural-edge slabs of wood, which he transformed into exquisite furniture pieces. Nakashima's design philosophy emphasized the harmony between nature and craftsmanship, often incorporating the natural imperfections and irregularities of wood into his creations.

One of the studio's most iconic contributions to the world of woodworking is the Conoid chair, a masterpiece that exemplifies Nakashima's mastery of form and function. These chairs, along with his tables, cabinets, and other furniture pieces, are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

Today, George Nakashima Woodworkers continues George Nakashima's legacy under the stewardship of his daughter, Mira Nakashima. The studio maintains its commitment to the principles of sustainability and handcrafted excellence. They source their wood from carefully selected, sustainably managed forests and employ traditional woodworking techniques to create timeless pieces of art and furniture that are not only functional but also imbued with a profound sense of beauty and history.

Visiting the George Nakashima Woodworkers studio in New Hope is like stepping into a living museum of woodworking excellence, where the spirit of George Nakashima's philosophy still thrives, and each piece of furniture tells a story of nature's beauty and human craftsmanship. It remains a must-visit destination for those who appreciate the marriage of art and woodworking in the heart of Pennsylvania's picturesque countryside.