“ Drum-making will always be a handmade process. I’m just entering the conversation with knowledge of the tradition and an interest in incorporating CNC machinery.”
As one-man operations, both designers struggle to balance the business end of their shops with what they really love: hands-on design and making. “It’s tough to make something different every single time,” Endo says of the custom commissions at the heart of his business. “But I’ve also made multiples— about 200—for someone else,” he says. “That helped me learn about small-batch production and informed the way I think Miles Endo 10 ID about making my own work.” This year, he has been focusing on developing a collection of objects—including lighting, mirrors and seating—influenced by his drum-making and recent reinvestigations of folding paper and metal. preferring instead to keep busy with the steady stream of work Committed to taking it slow in creating something he hopes that comes through word of mouth and relatively low-key will last, Flaherty resolved “to start from the beginning” and online presences. But last year, Endo decided to make a bold carefully think through every step in establishing Mi Mesita in marketing move by applying to be a contestant on Ellen’s sync with his chosen lifestyle. As he designs, he’s always Design Challenge, comedian Ellen Degeneres’ furniture design looking for ways “to keep prices down without compromising competition show on HGTV. on quality.” These include temporarily working in less than “I wasn’t so sure if it would be a good career move,” he ideal workshop space; using reclaimed materials and locally admits, noting that he worried it might be “embarrassing.” But sourced wood like cherry, maple and ash; developing a leg after talking with two RISD alumni who competed on the first design that works on multiple pieces; and assiduously avoiding season of the show, he decided to go for it. “I figured I’d take the serious temptation to hire an office manager. advantage of my RISD skills: working under pressure, driven In other words, except for the occasional RISD intern or by a deadline,” Endo explains. “I wanted to get my name out when they need to hire a friend to help with a larger project, there and see what I could come up with under pressure.” both Flaherty and Endo do it all, designing, making, marketing, The risk seems to have been worth it. On TV Endo came shipping and/or delivering their own pieces. And as anyone across as super creative and calm, cool and collected—so cool, who has tried to do this knows, that’s a real challenge. in fact, that despite being “eliminated” on the second to last “When I have a deadline to meet, I’ll work strictly in the shop episode, he saw huge spikes of interest via his website. “I’ve while neglecting the office work,” Flaherty admits. “After the had lots of emails and inquiries about pieces,” Endo says. deadline, I’ll spend a couple days catching up. It’s not ideal, “And when I went to a trade show this spring, so many people and I’m constantly working on ways to find a healthy balance, recognized me from the show and kept telling me I’d done especially since I wish I could spend all of my time in the shop.” a good job. That never happens in Providence when I’m Neither designer is much into self-promotion, either walking down the street. Most people don’t really care about (“crappy” is how Flaherty describes his own skills in this area), furniture design.”
For designer-makers, working in the shop is largely a solo venture — except when an extra pair of hands (or paws) is needed for heavy lifting.
studioendo.com // mimesita.com
// RISDXYZ
spring/ summer 2016
33