Art in Fine Forms - Exposes the Aesthetic Nature of Joints, Pegs, Hinges and Complex Woodwork
SPECIES FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE: African Mahogany
FIND INFORMATION ON THIS AND ADDITIONAL SPECIES AT WWW.IWPAWOOD.ORG
The Arts and Crafts architectural movement began in Britain in the late 1800s and came to America around the turn of the century. The Arts and Crafts design aesthetic is one of unity and economic use of space. A key element of the style includes the use of natural materials, such as wood, stone and brick, exposed beams and open floor plans. Homes in the Arts and Crafts genre often feature built-in furniture, light fixtures and cabinets that allow the furnishings to be part of the architecture.
Among early American adherents of the Arts and Crafts movement were two brothers, Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene. Active primarily in California, the brothers Greene developed a personal idiom within the Arts and Crafts aesthetic. The homes and bungalows they designed are prime exemplars of the movement. Indeed, the Gamble
House in Pasadena, is generally considered one of the finest examples of residential architecture in the United States, and it was a visit to the Gamble House that inspired a young woodworker named Ramon Ramirez.
The Greene & Greene style features elaborate joinery and framing and emphasizes the visual importance and the aesthetic nature of joints, pegs, hinges and complex woodwork as symbols of the structure of the house. In other words, the structure of the house is externalized, or exploded, rather than hidden in decoration. Each element of the structure asserts itself.
Today, Ramon Ramirez specializes in new builds in the Greene & Greene style and restoration of 20th century period pieces, designing and crafting custom doors, windows, furniture, and cabinetry in homes throughout southern California. From his workshop in Monrovia, California, he uses traditional materials and methods to emulate the Greene and Greene vernacular as well as other traditional California architectural modes such as the Spanish revival Monterey style.
Ramon Ramirez specializes in new builds in the Greene & Greene style and restoration of 20th century period pieces, designing and crafting custom doors, windows, furniture, and cabinetry in homes throughout southern California.
Ramirez uses local woods, such as Alder, Oak and Cherry, and exotics including African Mahogany, Wenge, Ebony, and Zebrawood. He favors alder for interior visible applications for its straight-grain and uniform texture. It has good dimensional stability and, when stained, blends easily with other woods, such as Walnut or Cherry. For exterior doors, he almost always uses African Mahogany for its combination of unbeatable durability and beauty. “I can just oil these exterior doors from time to time and they look as beautiful in twenty years as they did when I built them,” Ramirez says. African Mahogany is an excellent wood given these circumstances.
To the extent possible, he uses input materials that are authentic to the historic period he is working in. Other factors such as cost and availability, the specification of the designer or client, and an application’s exposure to sun, moisture and other environmental elements also influence his choices.
“This past year, with people at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people were really focused on their homes and so there was a lot of demand especially for kitchen cabinetry, Ramirez said. “These days, the kitchen is often the most expensive room in the house with custom woodworking, hammered hinges and handmade metal accessories.”
Just as the Greene brothers were selective about the projects they undertook, Ramirez chooses to work on projects that showcase the high quality of the woods and other materials he uses and highlight the high quality craftsmanship his firm, Art in Fine Forms, is known for. His goal he says is “to make works of art that will be around 100 years or more.” iw
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Greene & Greene architectural style?+
The Greene & Greene style is a personal idiom within the Arts and Crafts movement developed by brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene in California. It features elaborate joinery and framing and emphasizes the visual importance and aesthetic nature of joints, pegs, hinges and complex woodwork as symbols of the structure of the house.
Why is African Mahogany used for exterior doors?+
Ramon Ramirez almost always uses African Mahogany for exterior doors because of its combination of unbeatable durability and beauty. The doors only need to be oiled from time to time and look as beautiful in twenty years as when they were first built.
What wood species does Ramon Ramirez use in his woodwork?+
Ramirez uses local woods such as Alder, Oak and Cherry, along with exotics including African Mahogany, Wenge, Ebony, and Zebrawood. He favors Alder for interior visible applications because of its straight grain, uniform texture, dimensional stability, and ability to blend with Walnut or Cherry when stained.
What inspired Ramon Ramirez to specialize in the Greene & Greene style?+
A visit to the Gamble House in Pasadena — generally considered one of the finest examples of residential architecture in the United States — inspired Ramirez to pursue the Greene & Greene style.
What kinds of projects does Art in Fine Forms take on?+
Based in Monrovia, California, Art in Fine Forms specializes in new builds in the Greene & Greene style and restoration of 20th century period pieces. Ramirez designs and crafts custom doors, windows, furniture, and cabinetry for homes throughout southern California, including Spanish revival Monterey style work.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect demand for custom woodworking?+
With people at home during the pandemic, homeowners focused on their homes and demand for custom kitchen cabinetry rose significantly. Kitchens became the most expensive room in the house, featuring custom woodworking, hammered hinges, and handmade metal accessories.