Historic Replica Wood Turnings

As I step into my workshop, nestled in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Charlottesville, the familiar scents of the fresh growing woods outside and dried wood shavings inside fills my senses. I am instantly grounded to the present moment and my carpenter ancestors. The lathe, my tool for this artistic journey, stands ready, a invitation to spin up the music of the day’s meditation.

Selecting a piece of wood is a ritual in itself. Each piece, unique in its grain and texture, speaks of the history of the mountains, of rains and suns it has witnessed. Today, I choose a piece of african mahogany, its rich, reddened warm tones resonating with the early morning light filtering through the windows.  A sip of coffee while watching the turkey’s dry the dew from their feathers feels so right to my Virginia Hillbilly roots

Made To Order from Virginia

As the lathe begins to spin, the world outside fades away. Only the wood speaks to me, connected to the immediate danger of a tool that will take my finger in an instant. The whirring sound of the lathe blends with my breath creating a focused symphony of precision movements. My hands, guided by years of experience, move that precision up and down feeling almost instinctual, shaping the wood to the exact pattern.

Turning wood on a lathe is more than a craft; it’s a form of meditation that if you rush will ruin many a piece of stock. Each curl of wood that spirals away is a reminder of the impermanence of life, of the constant cycle of creation and transformation. The wood’s resistance and surrender under the tools mirror the ebb and flow of thoughts in my mind, allowing me to reach a state of Zen-like focus.

Virginia Historic Replica Turnings

The mountains, visible through my workshop’s open door, stand as silent witnesses supporting this meditative practice. I am tuned in to the enduring nature of our existence and my grandfather’s who raised the barns and decorated the homes of Virginia for the last few hundred years. The quality of the materials I work with, each piece a fragment of a former project being reused imbues my creations with a soul, a story. The intricate connection we grow from the world around us.

There’s a rhythm in turning wood, a harmony that aligns with the natural rhythms of the earth. The mountains, with their changing colors and moods, are a constant source of inspiration and backdrop to our shop. They remind me that just like the wood that takes new shapes under my hands, we too are capable of transformation and growth.

Turned Wood Made to Order

Hours pass without notice, as the stack of finished pieces grow behind me. The piece on the lathe slowly takes form, evolving from a rough block into a fitted form. The satisfaction of creating something beautiful, functional, and lasting is profound. It’s a connection not just to the material, but to the tradition of craftsmanship, to the history embedded in the wood, and to the serene beauty of the mountains that encompass my workshop.

As the day comes to an end, and the lathe falls silent, I step back to admire the finished pieces. In its curves and smoothness, I see not just my work, but the journey of the wood, from the heart of the mountains to the heart of someone’s home. This connection, this cycle of life and art, is the essence of my daily meditation, a reminder of the beauty and interconnectedness of all things.

Decorative architectural elements that are round and typically require turning on a wood lathe include:

1. Balusters: Vertical members in a railing system, often found in staircases and balconies.
2. Newel Posts: Larger, more decorative posts at the bottom or top of staircases.
3. Finials: Decorative, often pointed elements that cap posts, furniture, or architectural features.
4. Columns and Pilasters: Round, often tapered, structural elements supporting roofs or arches.
5. Rosettes: Circular, ornate decorative pieces, often used around doorknobs or in ceiling decor.
6. Spindles: Smaller turned pieces used in furniture or as decorative accents.
7. Handrails: Part of a staircase or balcony railing, turned for decorative effect.
8. Table Legs: Often turned for aesthetic appeal in various styles.
9. Chair Legs and Backs: Round elements in chairs are commonly created using a lathe.
10. Cabinet Knobs and Pulls: Round or oval knobs and handles for drawers and cabinets.
11. Dowels: Used in various applications, from curtain rods to structural supports.
12. Corbels: Ornate, curved supports for shelves, mantels, or other overhangs.
13. Bun Feet: Rounded feet often used for furniture like sofas, armchairs, or cabinets.
14. Crown Molding Corners: Curved pieces where crown molding meets in corners.
15. Decorative Appliques: Various round, carved pieces added for embellishment.

Beautiful Turned Wood Promotional Items

If you are not having us turn architectural decorative elements for historic restoration building projects – you might have us make custom promotional items like:

1. Tool handles
2. Lidded boxes
3. Jewelry boxes
4. Round jewelry holders
5. Wooden cups/mugs
6. Wooden cell phone holders
7. Luxury desk sets
8. Wooden wheels
9. Wooden gears
10. Wooden game pieces

Matthew Wiley wood turning supplier

turning wood craftsman making multiple newells to order

circular architectural wood elements turned on a lathe