est. 2006
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’ve been expressing my creativity through woodworking and furniture making for over 10 years. My dedication to my craft helps me to produce stunning, functional and artistic pieces of furniture. This book represents a number of one-of-a-kind commissions and limited production pieces that I have built over the years. These are some of my favourites but my breadth of work has been broad and varied. I enjoy building and designing all forms and in all styles. I take pride in working with a client to come up with a final product that exactly suits their needs and exceeds their expectations.
Pagoda Bar Stools
One of my most popular limited production seating pieces. These stools are simple, sturdy, and surprisingly comfortable. A little bit of an Asian flair, a hand shaped seat, and exciting wood choice makes these particular stools stand out. (Cover Photo) • Andaman Rosewood and Cherry
The Artist
The FURNITURE 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 process 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.
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.
Our portfolio
Continuity Dining Set
In this project there was a strong emphasis on grain and colour continuity. The stunning sapwood detail that runs through the table top and table base was mirrored in each and every chair back in the set. This attention to detail and meticulous effort when choosing stock made this piece one of my favourites. • Live Edge Walnut and Leather
Trapezoid Boardroom Table
When viewed from above this table top is a subtle trapezoid shape, inspired from the logo of the company who commissioned this piece. The double thick edges of the table were sawn from matching boards and folded under to create an incredible mirrored pattern down each side of the table. The base reiterates the trapezoid detail and was built from powder coated steel. • Stained Walnut and Powder Coated Steel
Craftsman Nightstand
This project was all about craftsmanship and the traditional practises of fine furniture. This piece incorporates hand cut dovetails, handmade wood drawer pulls, solid cherry and a simple oil finish. A truly timeless piece. • Cherry and Sapele
grand entrance
Saved from the Woodpile
Early in my career a client came to me with a pile of Yew logs that they salvaged from a wood pile on their recently purchased property. There was not a lot to work with as most of the pieces were small and had unusual shapes. The clients wanted the wood pile remnants turned into a bed. I must admit I had serious reservations, but I love the opportunity to be creative so I happily accepted the challenge. • Yew and Maple
Heavy Edge Dining Set
This live edge walnut table and bench are simple in form and design. Removing visual clutter can result in a striking finished piece if the right material is chosen. Sometimes it is just best to let the wood do the talking. • Thick Slabs of Live Edge Walnut
Fusion Low Platform Bed
This is one of only a handful of commissions where I was given full artistic freedom on the piece. A repeat customer of mine told me, “I want a cool bed. Call me when it is done.” I went into the shop with a fresh cup of coffee, started pulling boards from the lumber rack, and many hours later ended up with my favourite bed to date. The ability to add details and design on the fly during this build resulted in design details that I might not have ever thought of otherwise. • Ash, Bubinga and Wenge
Collaboration Table
This project was interesting because I had the opportunity to collaborate with an outstanding local metal artist. The collaboration between myself and the steel artisan resulted in a combination of materials that worked equally well together. • Black Walnut and Steel
Great Wall Platform Bed
The clients that commissioned this piece came to me with a fairly specific design in mind. I helped them through material choice and massaged the design slightly in order to bring their vision to life. The result shown here is exactly what they were looking for. • Vertical Grain Douglas Fir
Striated Entry Bench
Although I’m always very proud of my work, I can rarely say I’m completely satisfied with a piece as it is my nature to first look at what could have been improved upon. This piece might be one of the exceptions. The striations in the Sapele and the well-executed hand cut dovetails and through tennons resulted in a piece I would have loved to keep, and one the customer immediately fell in love with. • Sapele and Walnut
Saved from Fire Table and Benches
I sourced the material for this project from a local farmer who decades ago had a contract to tear down and burn a number of grain elevators. The client, a software company, had a thrifty farmer with foresight to thank for this great material. The project consisted of two tables and four benches and helped to fill an outstanding social room in a well-known company’s corporate fun space. • Recycled Douglas Fir and Patina Steel
Split Leg Night Tables
Beautiful wood and lots of exposed joinery make these small night tables stand out even in the largest master bedroom. There was nothing ordinary about any of the pieces in these night stands. This was a great example of how time spent with the sketchbook resulted in a great final product. • Wenge and Bubinga
grand entrance
Slated Teak Occasional Benches
Some increasingly rare first growth teak brought back to life in these stylish benches. These benches are one of the few limited production pieces I included in this book. Although originally designed to go in a client’s walk-in shower, these benches have many uses, and in teak they are well suited for both interior and exterior use. • Recycled Teak
Elevated by Colour Server
I’m often inspired by necessity. In this case the client approached me wanting to “lay a slab of wood on their countertop, as a design flair”. Due to wood movement and moisture control issues I needed to come up with a way to “float the slab”. The opportunity to solve a problem with creative design is what brought this piece to life and is one of the best parts of my job. • Live Edge Walnut, Clear Acrylic, LED Lighting
Grand Entrance Pivot Door
This door was a challenge from start to finish. The 750lb weight and offset pivot resulted in many challenges. In the end the project was outstanding and definitely achieved the grand statement the client wanted to make. Two notable details that tie directly to the client include a custom patinated steel panel inspired by the client’s favourite album cover artwork, and custom made six foot tall steel pulls with Ovoid plates paying subtle homage to Haida art. • Sapele, Patina Steel, Glass
Fire House Table
Extremely sturdy, durable, and built to last. Characteristics that are valued in this table’s setting, a local fire station’s common room. • Maple and Walnut
Contour Line Coffee Table
A local wood supplier that I had come to know well brought this particular piece of wood to my attention, knowing that I would appreciate its uniqueness. I had the board in my shop for some time before I was inspired while looking at a topographical map in preparation for an upcoming adventure. The recess in the top collects the small items often left to clutter a coffee table top; much like the lakes on the topographical map represent recesses that collect water. • Curly Maple
Timeless Dining Table
Simply put, a modern design with clean lines, great material, and a touch of old school craftsmanship in the hand cut dovetail joinery make this table a true classic. • Thick Black Walnut
Archive Library Table and Chairs
A classic piece in a modern setting. With the craftsman style, exposed joinery and leather top this piece worked well to achieve the juxtaposition this banking firm wanted in their otherwise modern office. • Cherry and Genuine Leather
Leaning Trunk Entrance Way Bench
The uncluttered simple construction of this piece put the outstanding wood on display, with the only subtle embellishment being the hand carved and tapered pegs that allow you to have a truly one-of-a-kind place to hang your hat. • Lake Erie Live Edge Walnut
Lake Erie Dining Table
The stunning colour and matching grain in these consecutive Canadian Walnut slabs create a visual interest that will be enjoyed for many years. The glass insert in the middle of the top gives the viewer a sneak peak of the one-of-a-kind brushed steel base. The metal through tennons add a touch of old school craftsmanship to the metal work that is usually only seen in woodwork. • Lake Erie Live Edge Walnut, brushed steel and glass inlay
Rustic Country Kitchen
This beautiful country kitchen features Maritime Beach throughout, a custom island, solid wood range hood and matching pantry door. • Maritime Beach
Rustic Railing
This beautiful rustic railing features Rough Sawn Douglas Fir and Rebar detailing for an “industrial” flare. • Douglas Fir, Rebar
Waterfall Coffee Table
This particular slab of Hard Maple was chosen for its interesting voids in the middle of the slab and the consistent width throughout its length. One end of the slab was cut with a mitter so that the grain would wrap from the top down the end, a detail commonly referred to as a waterfall end. The legs are a contemporary interpretation of the traditional hairpin leg, built with gold anodized brushed aluminium. • Canadian Hard Maple, Anodized Aluminium Hairpin Legs
Steampunk Boardroom Table
Steampunk styling is described as a mix of 19th Century British Victorian era and American Wild West in a post-apocalyptic future. This six foot long boardroom table was a collaboration with the Sapele Wood, Osmo Ebony Finish, custom steel base and steel detail edging. The corporate identity of the client was incorporated in a brass plate inlay of their logo. • Sapele and Steel, Custom Steel Base