



When you're in the process of starting a brand, it's exciting, which is a GREAT thing, but can be devastating when an idea takes a few to many tangents. Let's admit it, we've all been there at some point. (I know I have!) I'm here to let you know there is good news! We can all take efforts to build our brand on a strong foundation, a solid idea with room to grow and adapt as it matures.
It sounds contradictory to be solid yet fluid at the same time. The way I like to look at it is by having a solid idea, a clear path which I want to take, keeping in mind there will be adjustments that need to happen along the way. Much like building something from scratch, a solid concept may be drafted up, but we may take a few shifts and turns to get to the final product. If we start with a solid foundation and a clear path, we'll be able to navigate the times we need to make a change.
Our friend, Tony of Ward & Weston, is a craftsman of high-end wooden furniture. He designs and creates modern pieces for clients as well as custom cabinetry. Read further as he sheds light on his experience as a creative and as a business owner and how his foundation in Christ keeps him grounded, especially when it comes to the chaos that comes as a business owner.
"I specialize in the designing and building of high-end furniture. I love being able to take a design idea or concept and then take that into the shop and physically create it. It’s a rewarding feeling to take what was once a design idea and then create it with your own two hands."
K: What benefits for clients who choose custom built pieces?
"One of the best benefits of choosing to have a custom piece built is the quality in the construction of the piece. Most craftsman who build by hand choose to focus on the quality of the piece and not so much on the quantity of pieces they are building. Its also a great way to have something built that is to your exact design ideas and needs."
K: How did you find your passion for woodworking?
T: "I found my passion for woodworking at really young age, I would say as soon as I could start using tools, I started building something. My dad and both my grandfathers built furniture in their spare time so I got my passion initially from helping them. I would say the moment I knew that I wanted to build furniture for a living was when I was introduced to shop class in high school."
K: How do you find inspiration and ideas for your pieces?
T: "Finding inspiration and ideas for furniture design is becoming one of my favorite parts of the furniture business. I never know when a design idea will pop into my head, unfortunately its usually when I am trying to sleep. I also get a lot of inspiration from shapes in nature. Design in nature was created for a certain function but also with form. That is really important in furniture making. Each piece of furniture needs to be created for a certain function, but it also needs to be created with form. Nobody wants to have a chair in their house that is both uncomfortable and unappealing to the eye. This is why I really love what I do.
K: What is your process from idea to final product?
"The process for me usually starts with sketching an idea or concept of a piece of furniture. This can come from either the customers design idea or from my own design idea. I then like to make a scaled miniature model of the piece being built. Building a miniature model of the piece prior to the real thing really helps to work out any design flaws or flaws in the function of the piece. Plus, I find customers really enjoy seeing a model of what they are going to be getting and not just a sketch on a piece of paper. It gives them a realistic look at what will be built."
K: What are your favorite projects and why?
T: "One of my favorite pieces of furniture to build is coffee tables. I like designing them because you can get pretty creative in the design of the piece without loosing its function of being a table. I like coffee tables because they serve a certain purpose in your home but they can also serve as an art piece or an accent piece in the living room."
K: What is your foundation, what keeps you calm during chaos?
T: "I think its important to have something you lean on or turn too when things get chaotic. For me that is my faith in Jesus. Life can get really stressful and chaotic but the one thing that gives me peace is knowing I serve a God that Is greater than all my problems."
K: As a creative business owner, do you feel building relationships within your community is important and why?
T:
"I think building relationships with your community is a really important. When you take the time to get to know and understand your community, you start to learn what your community needs and how your service or product can enhance the community. I also think it’s a great way to meet other business that have the same passion you have. You can start to build relationships with them and in doing that you can help each other grow."
Check out Ward & Weston on their website to get to know them and see past projects!
Email is tony@wardandweston.com
Facebook is @wardandweston
2025 ©Cote Creative, LLC
For business opportunities & collaborations contact hello@kaycote.com