“It is important for people to know that behind every custom piece, behind every maker, is a family, community, and a life that is being lived in pursuit of beauty and craft.”

In an age where mass-produced, “fast furniture” dominates the market, the art of handmade, custom furniture making is dwindling. Big corporations have shifted production overseas to cut costs, leaving a void in communities once bustling with local craftsmen. However, artisans like Mark Oliver are striving to keep this industry alive. Through his dedication to quality and sustainability, Oliver demonstrates that there is still a place for handcrafted furniture in modern America.

Mark Oliver’s fascination with woodworking began in his childhood. Growing up in Tampa, Florida, he was captivated by the structures around him and how things were put together. This curiosity led him to pursue a degree in sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. After graduating, Oliver worked in cabinet shops and museum displays, where he honed his skills in blending design and functionality.

Oliver eventually settled in Asheville, North Carolina, a city known for its history in craft and art. Together with his wife, Jacqueline, an illustrator and visual artist, they run Foundation Woodworks, a cooperative-style gallery and workshop in the heart of Asheville’s River Arts District. This space provides a collaborative environment where emerging and established artists can share resources, equipment, and ideas, helping them grow their businesses and artistic practices.

Fast Furniture Versus Custom Craftsmanship

The market for fast furniture has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing consumer demand for affordable and stylish home furnishings. The global furniture market size was valued at approximately $677.09 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%, reaching $1,070.87 billion by 2030. This growth is largely fueled by rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and the proliferation of e-commerce platforms that make it easier for consumers to access a wide range of furniture options​.

However, this rapid growth comes at a significant environmental cost. Fast furniture, typically characterized by its affordability and disposability, contributes to a substantial amount of waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, around 12 million tons of furniture are discarded annually in the United States, much of which ends up in landfills​​. The production of fast furniture often involves the use of low-quality materials that are difficult to repair, glued together with toxic chemicals, which not only shorten the lifespan of these items but pose environmental hazards when they are eventually discarded.

Mark Oliver is a staunch critic of the “fast furniture” trend, which prioritizes speed and cost over quality and sustainability. “You don’t buy IKEA; you rent IKEA,” he quotes, highlighting the temporary nature of mass-produced furniture. In contrast, custom furniture, although sometimes perceived as more expensive, offers superior durability and can be competitively priced when considering long-term value.

Oliver emphasizes that working with a local artisan can result in a unique, high-quality piece tailored to the buyer’s specifications. “Many people don’t realize how affordable it can be to work directly with a local maker rather than a massive corporation,” he explains. This approach not only ensures a better product but also supports local craftsmen and their communities.

The Benefits of Using Salvaged Wood

One significant advantage of custom furniture making is the ability to use salvaged wood. Oliver uses salvaged materials such as old oak, chestnut, and other hardwoods from demolished buildings or river floors, and repurposes them into beautiful furniture. This practice not only preserves the character and history of these woods but also promotes sustainability.

Salvaged wood often comes from old-growth forests, offering tighter grains and unique aesthetics that are hard to find in new lumber. “Old American hardwoods are unmatched in quality,” Oliver says. “The tight grain and density you get from old-growth forests are something you just can’t find in today’s commercially harvested wood,” he adds.

“At MJO Studios, we use a lot of domestic hardwood, and many of them come from just over the mountains of Asheville,” Oliver says. This sustainable approach reduces waste and gives new life to materials that would otherwise be discarded. “Working with salvaged wood means we’re creating pieces with history and character that new wood simply can’t match,” he emphasizes.

Sustainable Practices in the Studio

Mark Oliver’s commitment to sustainability extends to his woodworking practices. In his studio, very little wood goes to waste. For example, when a ten-foot board is cut for a table, the excess wood is used to create other artisan items like sculptural vessels, cutting boards, spoons, and chopsticks. “We try to utilize every part of the tree in our process,” Oliver explains. This method not only maximizes the use of materials but also results in a variety of beautiful, handcrafted items.

Foundation Woodworks, the cooperative gallery and workshop run by Oliver and his wife, provides a unique space for artists and woodworkers. The co-op model allows for the sharing of resources and equipment, making it more feasible for artisans to start and grow their businesses. “We currently have 18 different woodworkers working out of our space,” Oliver says. “The communal shop allows us to exchange business ideas and contacts, which helps our renters to grow.”

The gallery also supports the artists by feeding commission work to those starting their businesses. “This has been a place where I have grown my business from a small studio to a big studio,” Oliver shares. “We want our artists to thrive in an environment where they have access to all the tools they need, including CNCs, woodworking equipment, and welders.”

COVID as an Equalizer in the Furniture Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges to the supply chain, affecting both large manufacturers and small artisans. However, Oliver sees this as an opportunity for local woodworkers. “Timelines have become longer for big overseas factories, leveling the playing field for small woodworkers,” he notes. The pandemic has made people more appreciative of handmade, quality products that stand the test of time.

Despite the challenges, Oliver remains optimistic about the future of custom furniture making. He believes that as people become more conscious of sustainability and the value of craftsmanship, there will be a renewed interest in handmade pieces. “It is important for people to know that behind every custom piece, behind every maker, is a family, community, and a life that is being lived in pursuit of beauty and craft,” he says.

Inquire about custom pieces through Mark Oliver Joseph, MJO Studios, and Foundation Woodwoorks.