Company History
DeWitt Woodworking was founded by Paul DeWitt in 2004 as a one-man shop. Originally located in Monument, CO he moved the shop to nearby Palmer Lake in 2007 and added a full-time employee. While growing slightly in size, we've maintained our passion for detailed, impeccable craftsmanship and build every piece as if it was going in my own home.
Styles and Influences
Almost anything can function as a piece of furniture; you've probably seen an old cable spool used as a coffee table, or a couple of planks and cinderblocks used as a bookshelf. While not elegant, these objects do their jobs. But function is only part of the equation; if two things perform a function equally well but one is more pleasing to the eye, most people would prefer the latter. The fine furniture that I build not only performs its required task, but adds beauty to a room and invites a touch.
“When we open ourselves to a piece of furniture it becomes a person to person experience. We connect with the maker at precisely the level of effort that he or she put into the process of conceiving and making the piece. The understanding eye sees the maker’s fingerprints. They are evident in every detail.”
--James Krenov
When I first started making furniture, I was attracted to the designs of the Craftsman style (also called Mission or "Arts and Crafts"). I liked the strong clean lines and the lack of ornamentation of this style, popularized by such well-known designers as Gustav Stickley and William Morris.
Seeing some of the homes and furniture designed by Charles and Henry Greene made me appreciate the softer, more elegant look that comes from combining the Craftsman style with a strong Asian influence.
Finally, reading several books written by James Krenov opened my eyes to the small details that can make a good piece of furniture great, such as thoughtful color and grain selection.
About Paul DeWitt
I didn't set out to be a furniture maker. I studied Literature in college (North Carolina State University in Raleigh) and for 15 years worked for various software companies as a technical writer (you know, those boring manuals you hate to read!).
I picked up woodworking as a hobby after my wife and I bought our first house. I liked the idea of building our own furniture and slowly taught myself the basics. Over the years, my skills and equipment grew and I occasionally built pieces for acquaintances. At the same time, I grew tired of sitting in front of a PC all day and decided to make a work/lifestyle change. After years of typing words on a screen, it is incredibly rewarding to see a rough stack of wood transformed into a piece of fine furniture.
My other main interest is ultra trailrunning (trail races longer than 26.2 miles). During my competitive days, I won numerous events such as the Leadville Trail 100 and Vermont Trail 100. I continue to run the trails in Colorado but mostly for fun.