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TASTEMAKER

ROGER DEATHERAGE

Roger Deatherage grew up in Illinois, in a house built entirely by his father, mother, and grandfather. He has a bachelor’s in environmental design and an MFA in Design, both from Northern Illinois University. His real education occurred during the summer in between when he served as an apprentice to renowned Designer/Craftsman Bobby Falwell. It was during this time, Roger was introduced to the world of studio furniture, and to the concept of a being a designer/craftsman.

Rocking chair, walnut, with woven leather backing.

Furniture Inspiration an interview with Roger How did your career begin?

I taught for three years at the University of Houston starting in 1975, before resigning to pursue my studio work full time. I started by doing a few shows and slowly built a client base. As both designer and maker, I am able to tailor furniture for individual clients. I apply my creative side and also enjoy the physical process of building the piece. I have never advertised and still manage to build an average of 12 to 20 pieces a year. And I’ve been doing this now for more than 35 years. Some pieces take one to six weeks, and others have taken years.

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Where do you work?

I work in a shop 30 feet from the house where I live with my wife, Mary, and where we raised our two children. The shop was built by friends as a barn raising. Once the foundation was in, I put building materials on a credit card, (easier than a bank loan), and asked friends to come help one Saturday. By 3:30 in the afternoon we had a place to work, beer, and barbecue. The Texas Trifecta. I am still grateful every time I walk in.

What inspires you?

I have never been able to identify or pinpoint my style.This is perhaps because I spent so many years working for others and trying to incorporate their tastes into my work. The two main influences for me personally are probably Scandinavian furniture of the 50s and Japanese architecture. Both cultures have a reverence for and an understanding of wood as a material that I think is the basis of any good work.

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What are your design goals?

As both designer and maker, I am concerned with how something feels as well as how it looks. It should go without saying that a chair needs to look comfortable and be comfortable. Smaller details, like a gently softened edge where your hand falls or the warmth of a finish, are just as important. They are also the hardest to specify in drawings.

Those details come from the personality of the craftsman.

What types of materials do you like working with?

I describe my work as quiet. I like to think that it garners attention without shouting for it. As a woodworker, I choose material with good natural color and proper density over exotic appearance. I try not to let the wood overpower the form. Pennsylvania Cherry is a favorite, because it is strong, warm, and responds well to tools.

ABOVE: Karen bed in cherrywood.

LEFT: Pair of side chairs in cherrywood with leather backing.

BELOW: Arthur table in cherry and ebony. It was part of a multi-year project. As with all his woodwork, no stain is used.

How do you work with clients?

I think it’s important for any potential client to make an appointment and see past work in person. I ask that they bring a collection of pictures and thoughts, expressing likes and dislikes regarding their furniture, other peoples’ furniture, pet peeves with contractors, and any other information that will help me design for them. This meeting often leads to a home visit to see the space I will be designing for, followed by a written and drawn proposal (including time frame), deposit, and invitations to visit work in progress.

Do you sign your work – and do you have a favorite piece?

I’ve found that people love seeing something built just for them. Each piece is signed, dated, and marked, “Made inTexas.” I have a different favorite piece every time someone asks me, but I did an eight-foot diameter dining table in cherry and ebony that I called Arthur. When the client and his wife came to see it, they described it as both medieval and modern. That’s as close as I ever came to the ideal timeless design.

Other favorites would be the 50 or so rockers I’ve built, and the “homes” I’ve made for books and various collections.

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Who inspires you?

I could name a hundred furniture makers I would like to know better, and I have images of thousands more whose names I don’t know. I’ve learned from all of them. If I had to narrow it down I’d say my main inspirations were Hans Wegner for his wedding of machine and hand work, Bobby Falwell for his life lessons, and more than one anonymous craftsman.

Getting Personal ABOVE: Tansu in mahogany and ebony.

LEFT: Reference stand in cherrywood.

BELOW: Dining room tansu in cherrywood.

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What is important to you?

My wife. She has 4 jobs, I only have one. Well two now, actually. Trees, good music, and bees are all pretty important, too.

Do you own others’ works?

I only have two pieces of furniture that are not my own. They’re both chairs by Hans Wegner, and both were gifts from clients.

What makes you happy?

I enjoy where I am and who I’m with. Wife, kids, dogs, cats, birds, and squirrels, fresh citrus, and hardwood scraps to cook with. I spend most Saturday mornings at Clark’s hardwoods sharing what I’ve learned and learning from others. I’d like to travel and get inspired first hand, but I know I’ll be glad to get home and make something.

-- compiled by SF Roger Deatherage can be reached by email, rdeatherage@mac.com and by phone: 713-692-8777. His Web site is www.finewoodeninteriors.com.

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