My name is Ted Clark and I am the founder, artist, master craftsman, and lead designer of Innovative Woodworking Co. The design and craftsmanship of unique, artistic, and functional woodwork is the passion that has consumed the majority of my adult life. I still remember the first piece of woodwork I created. The final product was hardly worth mention, but I vividly remember working tirelessly in a dark basement utility room that I had temporarily converted into a workshop. I remember straining to complete the project under the insufficient light of a single bare light bulb. I remember fighting off the frustration of not having the proper tools or the knowledge to execute my vision, but during that first project my interest for the craft turned into an all-consuming passion.
THE ARTIST
I've been expressing my creativity through woodworking and furniture making for over 10 years. My passion for the craft helps me to produce stunning, functional and one-of-akind pieces of furniture. This brochure is a small sample of my work including commissions, designed and built for a specific client, and limited production pieces. When it comes to creating your piece, we can take ideas from the projects in this brochure and on my website or we can start completely from scratch. I will consider any project in wood - for anyone - no matter what your style, taste or unique space requirements.
THE FURNITURE Live Edge Walnut Table and matching Walnut Chairs with upholstered seats
At Innovative Woodworking, we design custom wood furniture to fit the person and the space. We love the challenge of learning about our client's style and designing a beautiful piece to fit their space, aesthetics, and function requirements. In addition to designing and building custom wood furniture, we also design, manufacture and install architectural millwork, and built-in furniture and cabinets. Whatever your needs, we can design and build a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture that will stand the test of time. Anything from a bar stool to a boardroom table can be custom built specifically for your tastes and your space. Great craftsmanship, proper proportions, and thoughtful design never go out of style. This is what we strive for in every piece of furniture we produce at Innovative Woodworking. Our mission is to take a creative and artistic approach to the design and craftsmanship of unique woodwork. Whether it be your desire to own an original piece of wood furniture or your need for custom cabinetry, we promise to leave you in awe.
The Inspiration: At Innovative Woodworking, we love to hear all about our client’s ideas and needs. These needs are the inspiration that is the first step in the custom woodworking process. And inspiration comes in many forms. Some customers know exactly what they want and come to us with pictures, wood choices, etc. Others have a basic need to fulfil without knowing much more detail. Ted Clark’s years of experience commissioning custom pieces has taught him to ask the right questions, interpret the customer’s comments and develop concepts that exceed both of their expectations. The Design: First, we use the inspiration to develop a 3D concept drawing. When you review your drawing you have another opportunity to add input. Once a basic concept has been agreed upon, and depending on the complexity of the project, we will develop detailed and dimensioned line drawings, working drawings, templates or prototypes.
THE PROCESS Douglas Fir Platform Bed with 7.5 ft. headboard and unique built in Night Tables
These steps allow us to work out all the functional concerns and specific aspects of the build. On most built-in projects, and some of the more complex furniture builds do require an on-site consultation. During this meeting, we can supply the customer with material samples, review pivotal dimensions, and get a better overall feel of the space. Now that we have a great design, including details of the function and aesthetic, we can start the build. The Build: Craftsmanship, aesthetics and traditional building practices are key elements in our process. We personally spend time choosing the best wood for each part of the project. Assigning the appropriate grain and texture to each component of the build accentuates the amazing and unique character of the wood. This conscious decision on where to use each piece of wood is one aspect that sets our work apart from production manufacturers. We build each piece by hand and personally take an active role in every stage of the build. When we are in the shop building, we are constantly thinking “how can we make this stronger and more beautiful?” Our work is built to last and we do not cut corners. Each project that leaves the Innovative Woodworking shop doors is built to a level of quality we would want to put in our own home. The Reveal: This is the part of the process where your inspiration and all of our hard work and attention to detail pay off. Whether we are delivering a custom dining table to your home, or installing a large built-in unit, we promise the “reveal” will leave you in awe. Your excitement and appreciation for your final piece is what drives us to continue building and designing year after year.
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Some of my customers have built a complete collection of my work, furnishing most of their house. Many other customers pay me the highest complement of referring me to their friends. A lot of things have changed since that first project built in the dark basement, but my passion for the work and uncompromising craftsmanship continue to drive me and dictate the path my company follows to this day. ~ Ted Clark
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OUR PORTFOLIO
Black Walnut Table Top-Custom Steel Base
Walnut and Quarter Sawn White Oak Stools
Walnut Table - Powder Coated Steel Base
Home Office Walnut Desk
Wenge and Bubinga Split Leg End Table
Maple and Walnut Table with Breadboard Ends
Sapele and Walnut dovetail and through-tenon Entry Bench
African Sapele Custom Pivot Door with Patina Steel Insert
Live Edge Walnut Server with LED Lighting Feature
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We’re really pleased with Innovative Woodworking Co’s work. The finished product looks great, and is just what we were expecting. But what was even better is that it was easy working with IWCO on developing a design, and they did an excellent job communicating progress all along the way. Of all the people we’ve worked with on our heritage house project, they’ve been the best at keeping in touch and volunteering updates. Not everyone does that! ~ Martin
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Bubinga Table with Ebonized Baltic Birch Base
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After my wife and I moved into our newly built home we decided to buy a new bed. The problem was that we could not find anything we liked. We wanted something that was more than just a bed, something with a built in feature look. As a result we decided to have one custom built. We contacted Ted and he was able to take our ideas and together with his insight turn them into a pretty neat concept for the bed. The end product turned out exactly as we had hoped it would. We now have a bed that will last us a lifetime and is more than just a piece of furniture. Ted’s knowledge and craftsmanship are second to none. We highly recommended Innovative Woodworking to anyone who is looking for custom woodwork. ~ Dustin
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Live Edge Walnut Table and Bench
www.iwco.ca 780-222-3019