About Greg Aanes Furniture
I believe furniture is an echo of tradition expressed in organic lines. My own fascination with the art of furniture began as a child in Eastern Iowa, where I loved visiting the shops of Amish artisans, has continued through apprenticeship with a Norwegian immigrant craftsman and workshops with such masters as James Krenov, Thomas Moser and Isaburo Kawada, and now finds its culmination in my own ‘Northwest Style.’ This aesthetic has its roots in the local geography of the Pacific Northwest, where I have lived since 1980, and also in the long and practical history of Scandinavian design, where I trace my ancestry. From these traditions and my own experience I have drawn graceful lines, reverence for wood, and the importance of making furniture that is comfortable and built for people.
Greg Aanes furniture was founded in 1981 in Bellingham, Washington, and since then we’ve grown from a tiny shop in the woods to a 4,000 square foot space downtown and recently again to an 8,000 square foot space in central Bellingham. Our energies have been in chairs since 1984, with much of that time spent refining the Brendan Rocker and The Pacific Dining Chair. Esthetics, ergonomics, and woodworking are all equally important in this challenging furniture genre. In the year 2000 we re-entered the broader furniture market with several dining and end table designs, and as our space expansion permits we will be introducing bookcases and other new designs. Our furniture is sold through high-quality galleries nationally and internationally, as well as four premier fine craft shows a year, principally on the west coast, and our showroom in Bellingham.
Craftsmanship of the hand is crucial to our furniture, particularly in assembly and finishing. However we use modern technology (primarily in the milling of the parts) to keep the price affordable as well as limiting wear and tear on our aging bodies. We designed and built most of this machinery ourselves.
Created, owned and operated by Greg our shop is a diverse group with many talents individually and even more collectively. We thrive on challenge, solutions and hard work. Each of us does everything from sanding, milling, assembly, and finishing to answering the phone.
Please do not hesitate to call us up and chat. When you invest in our work you are investing in heirloom furniture built with true modern American craftsmanship. We want you to truly pleased.
