http://www.ernestthompson.com/index.php en kramsay@ernestthompson.com Copyright 2011 2011-12-21T16:36:39+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/ernest_thompsons_committment_to_american_made_eco_friendly_products/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/ernest_thompsons_committment_to_american_made_eco_friendly_products/#When:15:36:39Z Visit our new webpage, which outlines our philosophy on manufacturing in America, and eco friendly manufacturing in the furniture industry. Interested in the Made in America issue?  We’d like to welcome you to visit our new Made in America webpage at ernestthompson.com.  On this page, we outline our philosophy on Made in the U.S.A. - why we design and manufacture all of our handcrafted products right here in our Albuquerque workshop.  We’ve also included some information about the eco-friendly properties of buying handmade alder furnishings that are Made in the USA.  Let us know what you think! 2011-12-21T15:36:39+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/the_anatomy_of_a_chair/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/the_anatomy_of_a_chair/#When:13:06:54Z Shopping for custom Dining Chairs?  Follow this quick introduction to chair anatomy to learn how a well made dining chair is built, top to bottom. Searching for the perfect dining set for your table, kitchen, or breakfast nook?  Read below to learn a little bit about how we build our chairs.  Then visit Ernest Thompson’s Dining Room page for our ever expanding library of dining ideas and inspirations. Headrest: The headrest is not really a headrest at all, but the top rail of your dining chair.  Most dining chairs sit at between 40-44” high, so the headrest is meant to provide upper back support and to secure in place the spindles that form the bulk of your chair back.  In partnership with the spindles, the headrest is also where much of the defining style characteristics of a chair can be found.  This is done because the headrest of the chair is the place where your chair is most visible when placed at set position at your dining table.  When selecting your chair, envision how your chair will be viewed from the front within the vantage points or high traffic areas within the room.  Depending on the size of your dining chair, the headrest will often be constructed by laying up multiple pieces of wood for a larger flat surface, using the same methods used to create the smooth expanse of your tabletop. How will your chair headrest contribute to your dining set stylistically?  Are you looking for a focal point?  Are you looking for carved details, or are you more concerned with the silhouette, or shape, of the headrest itself? Spindles: In a well built chair, the spindles are formed from hand cut, sometimes turned (for rounded spindles) pieces of solid wood.  Their strength and shape is designed to support the lumbar region for dining periods where you will be sitting upright for an extended period of time.  Well constructed spindles, like those in an Ernest Thompson dining chair, are constructed with traditional mortise and tenon construction.  The thickness of the wood, along with this centuries-old joinery technique ensures that spindles are securely joined in place between the top rail and the chair seat, and that they will resist popping out of place or snapping in half.. The spindles of an Ernest Thompson chair are typically the showstoppers of the piece.  Whether they be hollowed and carved in relief, or adorned with line carvings, spindles create that overall decorative focal point.  Consider your room - do you need your spindles to have equal decorative impact on both the front and the back?  Carved spindles are often the solution.  With spindles, when the chairs are set, your chair backs will pop and will identify your dining chairs as true works of art.  Your dining chair back can also be upholstered for extra cushion and to allow fabric to contribute the decorative detail.  Seat backs can be upholstered with the same, or with different, fabrics on the front and the back of the chair back Chair Arms: Dining chairs typically come in two formats:  the traditional side dining chair, and the end chair, alternatively called a dining chair with arms, a sitting chair, or a captain’s chair.  In a traditional formal dining setting, side chairs are placed along the sides of your table, and arm chairs are placed at the ends to designate guests of honor or your dining hosts.  With a round or oval table, it is common to utilize all side chairs or all arm chairs, but a captain’s chair can also be utilized to designate the head of the table. Your dining chairs arm rests, if built correctly, will be shaped or sculped to comfortably cradle your forearms when in a relaxed yet upright seated position.  When shopping for a dining chair with arms, sit in your chair and test the comfort of the chair’s armrests.  Do your forearms and elbows rest comfortably? Chair Seat: All Ernest Thompson dining chairs are available in your choice of solid wood seat, a rush (woven straw) seat, or a custom upholstered.  Well constructed chair seats are carefully shaped to support evenly.  In Ernest Thompson dining chairs, the front of the chair seat is typically wider than the rear, to allow for comfortable positioning of the thighs when in a relaxed but upright seated position.  The chair seat is the base to which the chair arms and the chair spindles are attached with mortise and tenon joints. Legs: In a well built chair, the back legs are continuous throughout the entire height of the chair.  In other words, the side frames of the chair back become the chair’s rear legs.  This greatly enhances the strength of the chair’s structure, preventing legs from snapping.  Oftentimes, stretchers – or horizontal rails that connect the legs – are employed to enhance this stability even further.  All leg joinery, including the joinery that connects the legs to the chair seat, are constructed with traditional mortise and tenon joinery. 2011-10-27T13:06:54+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/woodworking_news_photoshoot/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/woodworking_news_photoshoot/#When:19:10:50Z Douglas Merriam Photography visits our workshop for a profile photoshoot This morning we enjoyed a workshop photoshoot with Santa Fe Travel and culture photographer Douglas Merriam Photography (http://www.douglasmerriam.com), as part of our upcoming profile in Woodworking News Magazine.  We’re excited to share our story in the article, and we’ll be sure publish links to the article on Facebook and here on our blog once it’s complete.  In the meantime, here are some photos of the photographer in action today.  Here’s a photo of Doug capturing the masterful work of Emilio, our hand carver.  Emilio is working on a hand carved, Native American inspired carved cabinet door panel.  Here’s a photo of Mike A. in the finish shop.  Mike is applying our signature, natural-feeling topcoat, which is the final stage in a multiple step finish process that begins with hand rubbed stains. Remember, you’re always welcome to tour our wood workshop!  We’re happy to have you. Call any time to schedule your tour. 2011-09-29T19:10:50+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/airport_boutiques_installed/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/airport_boutiques_installed/#When:16:18:18Z Check out photos from two of our more recent retail display casework installations, airport concourse retail shops in the San Francisco International Airport We love working with commercial and contract/design clients.  Retail and commercial work is a perfect fit for Ernest Thompson.  Not only can we design or customize for any space and style; also, we build products that can withstand the rigors of high traffic and h 2011-09-09T16:18:18+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/fun_friday_furniture_fact_buffet_vs._sideboard/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/fun_friday_furniture_fact_buffet_vs._sideboard/#When:21:12:34Z Our ET Design Consultant breaks down the age-old debate:  is this thing a sideboard or a buffet? Sometimes, it seems as if everyone has their own name for that piece in the den. And generally, we are all usually more or less correct, since well-built storage and display furniture is typically designed to be highly versatile.  Functionally, a buffet and a sideboard are pretty much the same thing: A fabulously flexible storage piece.  While buffets are usually considered to be more weighty and substantial than a sideboard, the name…to be honest…mainly just differentiates the room in which the piece is placed. In a dining room, a sideboard becomes a buffet, providing storage space for extra linens, china, and serviceware.  In the living room, a sideboard could become several things -  an entryway credenza, offering catch-all drawer space for car keys and cell phones.  Or, an entertainment center - used to display family photos and to store games, cds and videos.  This is especially true in recent years, when advancing television technology has produced larger screens, narrower profiles, and less clunky television bases, making a shorter storage sideboard an attractive and flexible “entertainment unit” solution.  The great thing about sideboards, or buffets, is that (unlike the tv cabinets of old) the sideboard is continually reinventing itself within the home.  The moment you stop placing your tv on top of it, it will look nothing like an entertainment unit.  A sideboard can be used to store children’s toys and games.  It can be used in the bedroom as a storage space for extra blankets.  With an added hutch, a buffet can become an office bookcase or a sitting room china cabinet.  The great thing to keep in mind with sideboards is that, when built well and with thoughtful design, they can have a long and meaningful life as heirloom pieces, within many rooms of your home and of future generations. So, that being said…where do you need extra storage or surface space?  Visit our Entertainment and Storage page for inspiration.  But don’t feel limited by the name of any given piece.  Try our Accent Furnishings page as well, and our Dining Room page!  You never know where you’ll spot that perfect solution for your home storage needs…whatever they happen to be at the moment. 2011-08-19T21:12:34+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/how_to_dust_an_intricate_surface/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/how_to_dust_an_intricate_surface/#When:18:53:29Z Dusting carved surfaces is easy.  You won’t believe how easy! It’s a beautiful Spring day here in Albuquerque.  I’m in the showroom today, helping customers and doing some light dusting.  So, I thought I’d share a quick cleaning tip. Our furniture tends to have a lot of intricate, beautiful detailing:  hand carving, intricate panel work, mouldings and planking.  Like this!  Customers ask me all the time, “Isn’t this difficult to keep clean?” It is so simple.  When dusting an intricate surface, just keep a dry paintbrush handy to lift dust from the cracks and crevices.  For dry and especially dusty surfaces, lightly spray your paintbrush with a dusting spray like Pledge or Endust.  This tool will quickly become one of your favorites in your weekly cleaning arsenal. Happy Spring Cleaning, and I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!  To see more examples of our beautifully hand carved furniture and cabinetry, visit our Furniture Gallery or our custom Cabinetry Gallery.  2011-05-21T18:53:29+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/smart_remodeling/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/smart_remodeling/#When:16:56:06Z Smart remodeling means thinking long-term:  Quality remodels increase home functionality and value, and using quality products is ultimately budget friendly. But where should you focus your emphasis and your pocketbook? Happy Friday!  I hope everyone has wonderful plans for this beautiful spring weekend.  If you’re like many of our friends and customers, you’ll be hitting the design showrooms and working on your newest home improvement project.  Spring inspires big plans for the home and garden. In this sluggish economy, we may be seeing less new construction.  But remodels are in high gear.  Here’s what we are seeing in our cabinetry and furniture business lately: •  Oversized new home building is taking a backseat to smart, thoughtful remodeling.  •  Two key remodel trends:  the kitchen for it’s huge impact, and the powder room for giving the biggest bang for your buck. •, Using quality products is THE key:  not only is it better for the local economy and for the environment, but quality products are a less expensive investment long term. For more information, visit azcentral.com’s article on Smart Renovating; also, don’t forget to visit our Cabinetry page for more kitchen and bath inspiration.  Happy remodeling! Articles 2011-05-20T16:56:06+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/ernest_thompson_launches_new_kitchen_installation_santa_fe/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/ernest_thompson_launches_new_kitchen_installation_santa_fe/#When:18:28:06Z This Spring, Ernest Thompson is proud to install its first installation of St. Charles Cabinetry in Santa Fe’s Builder’s Choice Showroom. Ernest Thompson is thrilled to have partnered with local appliance gallery Builders Source.  Located on Pacheco Street in Santa Fe, Builders Source features appliances set within beautiful cabinetry concepts.  Click below to view Builders Source’s new video.  Our Santa Fe installation shows how different cabinetry styles can make a beautiful partnership.  The bulk of our kitchen concept is constructed in quarter sawn white oak.  Paired with inset flat panels, these cabinets have an arts and crafts or mission feel.  We’ve included St. Charles stainless steel full overlay cabinetry with custom lighting in the upper cabinets.  To incorporate Ernest Thompson’s signature old world cabinetry in knotty alder, we’ve incorporated a carved wine cabinet with large chip carving and rope carved details, and an expansive carved kitchen island.  Finally, we included Sombraje Twig Panelling over the refrigerator. We hope you’ll visit Builders Source Santa Fe.  Afterwards, pop over to our showroom for a consulation or for additional inspiration!  Click here for our location and contact information.    Announcements 2011-05-11T18:28:06+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/cabinet_construction_methods/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/cabinet_construction_methods/#When:17:55:55Z Having difficulties understanding the difference between inset cabinetry and partial overlay?  Here’s a quick tutorial to introduce you to the basics of framed cabinetry construction. Cabinetry construction falls into two main categories:  framed and frameless.  It all begins with the cabinet box itself.  Is the open side of the cabinet box concealed behind a face frame?  If so, you are dealing with framed construction cabinetry, a traditional American method of cabinet construction.  No face frame on the cabinet box?  Then the cabinet is an example of frameless construction, which is associated with more contemporary styles.  Framed construction is a traditional method for building cabinets wherein a face frame made up of rails and stiles is affixed to the “face,” or open side, of the cabinet box.  Cabinet doors are then attached to the face frame of the cabinet box.  Two styles of cabinets are typically associated with framed construction:  Partial overlay cabinets, and inset cabinets.  With the partial overlay method, the doors are attached to the front of the face frame and part of the face frame is visible behind the doors. Partial overlay cabinets are typically the staple of stock cabinetry suppliers, because it is a simpler method of cabinet building.  With inset cabinetry, the cabinet doors and drawers fit snugly within the rails and styles of the face frame.  Inset cabinets are considered an elevated, and the most upscale, style of cabinet due to the skill required in crafting cabinet doors and drawer fronts that fit perfectly within the frame.  This style of construction emerged from the furniture craft.  Traditionally, furniture is made with inset doors and drawers.  By choosing wood cabinetry with inset doors and drawers, your cabinets feel more like carefully selected pieces of furniture rather than mass-produced cabinet boxes.  For this reason, full inset cabinets are sometimes called “furniture grade cabinetry,” to designate their higher quality.  Here’s a great example of inset door cabinetry.  The cabinet box has been finished with a face frame, made up of wood rails and styles.  The cabinet panel doors and drawers have been meticulously constructed to fit snugly within the frame. For examples of Ernest Thompson’s traditional, furniture grade inset cabinetry, visit our cabinetry inspiration page! 2011-04-15T17:55:55+00:00 http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/now_thats_entertainment/ http://www.ernestthompson.com/blog/now_thats_entertainment/#When:20:59:48Z Designing a Custom Entertainment Unit That Really Works for You Perhaps more than any other piece of furniture, entertainment units require great amounts of customization.  Why?  Well, because we all entertain, and are entertained, differently.  If you’ve visited our website’s Entertainment and Storage photo gallery, you probably noticed entertainment units in all sizes, shapes, and styles:  low streamlined credenzas, tall, three piece units, built-in units, and on and on.  Part of this is about our customer’s individual taste.  But just as importantly, the size and layout of an entertainment unit is determined once we determine how the unit can best function in your home and how it can best enhance your lifestyle.  Entertainment units are about creating an attractive focal point and, most frequently, a storage space for a television.  But what else?  Well, each customer is different.  What about your cable box? Your DVD player?  Your CD player or stereo or MP3?  Where will you store or display your DVDs?  Your CDs?  Do you want to see your media, or hide it?  Do you need cabinet storage for board games or throw blankets?  Do you need a bookcase to shelve books or display art? You get the idea.  A well designed entertainment unit is a different thing for every home and every family.  So, when shopping for an entertainment unit, consider these factors: The space What is the layout of the room?  Where are you planning on putting the piece and why? What are the measurements of that area, and what other elements of the room have an impact on the height, width, or layout of the piece?  For example, do you need the television to sit higher so you can see it from the kitchen?  Or, is the length or height of the unit restricted by pillars, windows, or doorways? The function What would you like to store, or showcase, in your unit?  TV?  Cable Box?  Stereo?  Speakers?  Books? DVDs?  List everything.  Then, will these elements be hidden or displayed? What is it about your current entertainment unit that isn’t working for you?  Why are you shopping? The style Are you attracted to a particular style or finish?  What is the style of other pieces in your room, or in your home, or of the house itself? ET has developed a guide and questionnaire designed to help our customers think about the details that help you design (with our help!) an entertainment unit that can function beautifully in your home for years to come.  To view or download the guide, visit the Resources tab on our website. 2011-03-01T20:59:48+00:00