Southwestern Furniture

Southwestern wood furniture can be characterized in many ways.  For some, it calls to mind Western furniture, which can be either rustic or quite refined and is influenced by American mountain, ranch, or lodge culture.  For others, Southwestern style references Mexican style furniture, or Hacienda style furniture.  Mexican style furniture is often very rustic, frequently painted, constructed out of pine, and accented with iron.

Ernest Thompson builds Southwestern furniture in a uniquely New Mexican style.  Originating with Spanish colonialism and dating back 400 years, the New Mexican furniture tradition began with the closely guarded and precise techniques and specifications of the original Carpinteros (skilled woodworking artisans) that accompanied the Spanish colonists.  These styles and traditions evolved with the unique conditions and functional needs of the New Mexican southwest, and with exposure to various Native American and western influences, to create a uniquely New Mexico style furniture tradition.

Ernest Thompson southwestern furniture is a more transitional version of Spanish colonial, New Mexican, or Santa Fe style furniture.  We build our furniture with precision and by hand, using the classic mortise and tenon joinery, wood nailheads, and inset doors and drawers characteristic of New Mexico style furnishings.  Our cuts and carvings are influenced by historical New Mexican furnishings, and we complement our building techniques with sumptuous and durable hand rubbed finishes.  The end result is impeccably constructed, authentic and timeless furniture, hand crafted for homes throughout the Southwest and beyond.

To browse our collection of Ernest Thompson originals, visit our furniture galleries.