Thomas William Furniture is a distinguished workshop nestled in Southeastern Wisconsin, precisely located between Madison and Milwaukee, in the charming town of Oconomowoc. The workshop spans 900 square feet and is the dedicated space of a single artisan, Tom Dumke. Tom's commute is conveniently short, just 50 feet, allowing him to begin his day at 6:00 a.m. and work diligently until 5:00 p.m. six days a week, with Sunday reserved for rest. Thomas William Furniture reflects Tom’s commitment to crafting fine furniture with meticulous attention to detail, rooted in his passion for woodworking and design.
We built both our shop and home in 2002, crafting the shop's design to complement our home's aesthetic. Initially, our neighbors mistook the shop for a mother-in-law suite. Building the shop first was strategic, enabling us to use it as a base to undertake much of the construction work on our home ourselves.
In January 2003, Tom expressed his desire to leave his CNC machining job to pursue woodworking full-time. Recognizing his exceptional talent and passion for woodworking, I knew he was meant to transition to it full-time, but the timing had to be right. After careful consideration and planning, Tom officially began his full-time woodworking journey on June 1, 2003.
Tom has dedicated much of his life to mastering traditional woodworking methods. On June 1, 2003, he embarked on his full-time woodworking career, devoting himself to creating finely hand-crafted furniture from superior hardwoods. Each piece is the result of his meticulous evaluation of the wood's grain pattern, texture, density, balance, and color. With the trained eye of a master craftsman and the heart of a true artist, Tom's careful attention to detail ensures a product of exceptional quality and timeless beauty, destined to enhance any home with its enduring elegance.
Our shop and home sit on 2.2 acres, providing us with ample space and a serene environment. Inspired by our neighbor Val's beautiful prairie of indigenous Wisconsin wildflowers, we decided to create our own. After three years of preparation and 16 years of growth, we now have an acre of wildflowers that encircle our property, enhancing the natural beauty of our surroundings. If you're considering a piece of furniture and would like to visit our shop, please "contact us" to make an appointment. Seeing our craftsmanship in person often makes all the difference.
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