Commissioning work:
The following are examples of how clients commission my work, however, stated in the simplest terms: contact me, I will be happy to discuss your project at length with you.
If you have employed an architect or interior designer, they will forward a schematic of the project, for purposes of pricing, a major portion of the design process has already taken place. Your custom door, or furniture is well on its way. Upon receiving the commission I will provide detailed shop drawings for approval, these are often accompanied with stain, finish, molding, or other samples. During this process the details of the project are highly refined, not only in appearance but in the structural aspect as well. The project is then built exactly to the approved shop drawings and delivered. Note: some furniture is somewhat interpretive and may not fully be reflected in shop drawings. If your designer is not familiar with Larsen Design, you may wish to provide the introduction by forwarding this site to him or her.
The second, is dealing directly with a client that is quite clear on the details of the proposed project and able to provide sketches, or photographs adequate for pricing purposes. This is only marginally different than when dealing with the professional designer, provided good design is involved, and we move quickly to the detailed shop drawings and build phase.
Other clients provide descriptions, photos and sketches that are only able to represent ideas, requiring further design work to make it just right. I then provide the design work, and provide the schematic sufficient to price the project. The follow through at this point is the same as described.
The last is when a client commissions a work, deliberately giving little direction, perhaps a specie preference and size and number, as in a dining table that is 40" x 78", with six chairs. With this commission I initiate the design process with the client by submitting a variety of sketches reflecting their interest with my design, at times starting with simple free-hand sketches, this is generally accompanied with phone calls and emails. When the initial design is complete it can be priced and as with the other methods, detailed shop drawings and samples, if indicated, are supplied and the project is built and delivered. This client is frequently a repeat individual or firm that is familiar with my work and design. We can also work from a budget, often tayloring a great project to fit a specific price point.
Design perspective:
A note about design preference: My personal taste are compatible with a number of genres, but not all. I prefer simple and understated to busy or congested; clean lines and fair curves; tight application-appropriate joinery; purposeful design; silky smooth project-specific finishes, be it in lacquer, spar varnish, tung oil, or paint. My design may at times approach whimsical but you will not see the outrageous, garish, contrived or cute. Commissions of this studio begin with a purpose, are vetted through critical design, and are built to high standards; rewarding the builder and owner with a timeless functional piece that is a pleasure for years to come.
Doors: Please refer to the specification page for details along with the gallery that has detailed descriptions along with photos. In general, the doors are built to the same standard as the furniture, they are just more technical. They receive the same care throughout the building process, from carefully fitted tenons right to the hand rubbed finish. They are in every way furniture, just hinged.
Scheduling:
This is not a production facility focused on volume, it is a studio where each client receives full and undivided attention, one project at a time, for as long as it takes, in the order it was received. The exception is the initial design and pricing work that is done at the time of request. If you have a time-sensitive project, perhaps a front entry system for a new house that will involve other trades, or your inlaws are coming for Thanksgiving and you really need the new diningroom set, it is best to order early to insure a timely delivery. A large entry system often requires a few hundred hours of build time from start to finish. Typically an open calendar is two to six months out. I encourage you to contact me for the current schedule as the lead time varies considerably.