The World of Métier: George Nakashima Woodworkers

Tucked away down a narrow road in the small town of New Hope, Pennsylvania sits a 19-building compound, George Nakashima Woodworkers. The greatest woodworker, furniture maker and architect of our time, George Nakashima had found himself on this piece of land with his young family after being imprisoned in the Idaho internment camp during the Second World War. Nakashima would first build a modest home for his family and a studio for himself to work out of, eventually expanding as he built homes for his daughter Mira, his son Kevin and adding on various workshops to the grounds.

On a snowy February morning, a small group of us from Métier found ourselves on a guided tour around the Nakashima grounds. There was the Chair Shop where one could watch some of Nakashima’s iconic designs come to life, and the meticulously designed Reception House which was the last building constructed by Nakashima himself. Unreachable by car, and down a steep hill covered in fresh snow from the night before, sat the Arts Building where we would spend the rest of our day.

Some of Nakashima’s earlier designs were stored in the Arts Building, along with rows and rows of lumber waiting to be made into something beautiful. The walls were also lined with murals and paintings, which we later discovered were mostly the works of Ben Shahn, a dear friend of the family and the artist whom Nakashima had originally built the Arts Building for–to use as his private gallery space. As we explored the museum-like space and learned more about Nakashima’s work and philosophy, we couldn’t help but feel awed by his dedication to his craft. The series of photographs from this day reflects our mutual respect for craftsmanship, the perfect imperfections of natural materials and of course, the spirit of adventure.

The Craft

“It wasn’t just a business, it wasn’t just an occupation, it was a vocation,” says Mira Nakashima of her father in an interview with Digs Architecture + Design. George Nakashima dedicated his life to the artistry of woodworking and would eventually pass the baton off to his daughter Mira, who with her own impressive background, carries on the Nakashima legacy today. 

This idea of continuing a tradition is something that resonates deeply with us as we work closely with some of the oldest family run ateliers in Italy. The name ‘Métier’ actually comes from a French word which simply put, means a job or a profession. Furthermore, it describes one’s craft, one’s calling and reason for being. We wanted to not only reflect the each and every hand that a Métier piece passes through, but also the métiers of our clients in coming up with this name.

The Perfect Imperfection

During his life, Nakashima made almost every piece by hand, which made each piece unique and one of a kind. He utilized, and even preferred, timber with holes, cracks and other natural characteristics–he believed “that the inherent beauty of natural materials like wood should be studied, understood and respected… [and] that the product should retain such materials’ marks of individuality, as well as those of the craftsperson who brings it into being.” Rough edges and naturalistic surfaces were common in his work which he showcased with pride.

What others might call ‘imperfections,’ are markings of the wearer’s journey to us. It tells the story of their unique path and we also believe that “a certain amount of scratching and denting adds character to a piece.” We compare the aging process of our products to that of a fine bottle of wine, or even a coveted pair of Japanese raw denim which only get better with time.

Companions for Life

“Nakashima furniture is meant to be lived with as a member of the family, full of imperfections as we are all, but maintaining a sense of balance and equanimity through all stages of life,” says Mira Nakashima. This dedication to creating a life long companion is perhaps what we respect the most, especially during a time when ‘newness’ is the main driver in any business. 

At Métier, we also believe in creating with a focus on longevity over seasonal trends. Our Core collection is meant to address different ‘journeys’ and we only produce new styles when we feel that there is a journey that we have not yet embarked on. We encourage our clients to build their collection over time rather than replace each season, and through this cycle, we are able to avoid mass production, putting our efforts into perfecting each individually handmade piece. 

Left: Inside Golconde, the first Modernist building in India designed by George Nakashima

For the Traveller

Before settling down in New Hope, Pennsylvania, George Nakashima travelled around the world. From Spokane, Washington, where he was born to Harvard, MIT and École Américaine des Beaux Arts for his studies, to Tokyo and Pondicherry, India for work, Nakashima spent his earlier life taking in all that life had to offer. He famously sold his car and purchased an around-the-world steamship ticket to travel around the world as a young man.

Similarly, every Métier piece was designed for motion with the spirit of travel and adventure rooted at its heart. We design each piece carefully so it becomes an extension of yourself as you go from place to place instead of it becoming a hindrance of a luggage. With its minimal and timeless exterior design, each piece is meant to discreetly yet also elegantly carry you through even the most varied of journeys.