Meet the Maker
David Stine
Furniture
From the Forest. By Hand. For Generations.
Some furniture begins in a factory. David Stine's begins in the forest. For nearly three decades, David has been transforming trees harvested from his own land into handcrafted furniture designed to last for generations.
His approach is rooted in tradition: honest materials, classic craftsmanship, and a belief that the natural beauty of wood needs very little embellishment. No computer-controlled machinery. No shortcuts. Just remarkable wood, time-tested tools, and the experience to know when to let the material speak for itself.
The Story
From the Family Farm
to Furniture Making
David's woodworking education began long before he opened his business.
Growing up on a farm in Illinois, he learned the craft from his father and grandfather. Harvesting and milling trees from their own property was simply part of life.
Together, they built tables, bookcases, fences, and other necessities—repairing their own furniture and learning not only how things were made, but how they could be made to last.
There was something remarkable about taking a tree growing on the family property and transforming it into something both beautiful and useful. That fascination never left him.
Years later, while attending law school, David started a furniture business as a creative outlet. Just one year into practicing law, he made a life-changing decision.
He left the legal profession to make furniture full-time. Nearly 30 years later, he's still doing exactly that.
At a Glance
The Maker
Maker
David Stine
Location
Dow, Illinois
Experience
29 Years
Favorite Woods
Walnut & Cherry
Favorite Tool
Lie-Nielsen Block Plane
Preferred Finish
Hand-Rubbed Oil
The Space
A Workshop Built Around Tradition
In 2019, David Stine Furniture moved into a space that had long been a dream—a 15,000-square-foot workshop complete with a showroom at the front.
But despite its size, stepping inside feels more like entering a workshop from another era. There are no CNC machines or computer-controlled production systems.
Aside from a SawStop table saw and the team's iPhones, David jokes the workshop might as well be operating in the 1940s. Traditional equipment, hand tools, and skilled craftsmanship remain at the center of everything.
His favorite machine is a massive 42-inch Greenlee Model 110 planer. His favorite hand tool is a Lie-Nielsen block plane.
And his favorite place in the entire shop? His workbench.
Sourcing
From Forest to Furniture
For most furniture makers, the process begins at a lumberyard. For David, it begins among the trees.
He harvests his own wood, selectively removing dead and dying trees from the property. The logs are milled into slabs, then kiln-dried or air-dried before being numbered, catalogued, and stored.
When a client approaches David about a custom piece—perhaps a twelve-foot dining table that's four feet wide—he doesn't simply order lumber. He searches his inventory to find the right slab for the project.
Clients are typically presented with several options, allowing them to select the actual wood that will become their furniture. The entire process is documented and shared, from the earliest stages of construction through final installation.
The result isn't simply a piece of furniture. It's a connection to the tree it came from and the hands that shaped it.
The Process
The Journey of a Tree
Philosophy
Honest Materials. Honest Craftsmanship.
"The wood isn't tortured or adorned unnecessarily. We let the wood speak for itself."
Ask David what defines good craftsmanship, and his answer comes down to three things: beautiful wood, integrity, and details you can see and feel.
Rather than chasing trends or adopting every new technique, David focuses on the kind of furniture his workshop does best. His designs are restrained and intentional.
The wood isn't unnecessarily manipulated, decorated, or forced into something it isn't. Instead, the natural grain, figure, and character become the defining features of each piece.
It's a philosophy that carries through every stage of his work.
Sourcing
Materials That Speak for Themselves
When it comes to wood, David has two enduring favorites: walnut and cherry.
Both offer the rich color, natural character, and timeless appeal that complement his understated design philosophy.
And when it's time for finishing, there's only one choice in his workshop: hand-rubbed oil. It's the only finish David Stine Furniture uses.
He prefers it because it allows the natural beauty of the wood to remain the focus. He also values its repairability and the nontoxic finishing approach he uses.
No unnecessary decoration. No elaborate surface treatments. Just beautiful wood, thoughtfully finished.
Featured Build
A 75-Year-Old Oak's Second Life
The Missouri Botanical Garden Project
The Garden needed to remove a 75-year-old Shumard oak to make way for a new visitor center. Rather than lose the tree's legacy, they commissioned David Stine Furniture to transform it into signature pieces for its new restaurant.
The commission included a massive 17-foot communal table and a matching 17-foot bench , with the bench seat hand-carved from an enormous section of the original log.
Over 18 months, David and his team turned the historic tree into furniture that would continue serving the Garden and its visitors. He describes the experience as stressful and fantastic at the same time.
A tree that once stood on the grounds now has a new purpose—bringing people together around a table.
Design Philosophy
The Beauty of Restraint
There is a recognizable simplicity to David Stine Furniture. Rather than using complicated shapes or unnecessary ornamentation to make a statement, David allows the material itself to do the work.
The proportions are considered. The joinery is honest. The finishes are natural. Every design decision is made to complement the wood rather than compete with it.
This restrained aesthetic has become one of the defining characteristics of his furniture—and what makes his work timeless.
Trends come and go. Beautiful wood and thoughtful craftsmanship don't.
The Team
Inside the Workshop
Behind every finished piece is a team working with traditional equipment, carefully selected hardwoods, and decades of accumulated experience.
The workshop may be large, but its approach remains remarkably personal. Each slab has a history. Each commission begins with a conversation. Each finished piece is built for a particular client and space.
Take good wood. Respect the material. Build something worth keeping.
Quick Hits
Rapid Fire Q&A
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Hand Tools or Power Tools?
Power Tools
Favorite Wood
Cherry & Walnut
Favorite Tool
Lie-Nielsen Block Plane
Most Challenging Project
A 17-foot communal table and bench for the Missouri Botanical Garden
Dream Project
A stand-alone timber-frame spa building at his own home
Favorite Woodworking Quote
"It's a poor carpenter who blames his tools."
There are no shortcuts to good craftsmanship, and there is no substitute for putting in the hours.
After nearly three decades of professional furniture making, David has learned that good craftsmanship cannot be rushed.
His advice to aspiring makers is equally practical: learn your craft, and be responsive to your clients.
Technical ability matters, but so does understanding the people who will ultimately live with the furniture you create.
The Heart of It
A Legacy Built to Last
David Stine's story began on a family farm, learning to work with wood alongside his father and grandfather. Today, nearly 30 years into his career, that same connection between land, material, and craftsmanship continues to define his work.
The workshop is bigger. The projects are more ambitious. The tools and techniques have been refined through decades of experience. But the fundamental idea hasn't changed.
A tree becomes a slab. A slab becomes a table. And a table becomes part of someone's life.
From the forest. By hand. For generations.
Custom Work
Have Something Special in Mind?
From statement dining tables to custom furniture designed around a particular space, David Stine Furniture works with clients to create pieces built around remarkable wood and thoughtful design.
Connect with David Stine Furniture through Makerbook to discuss a custom project.
Connect With David Stine Furniture
