Kate Taylor started her woodworking career in high school as part of a crew, building a log cabin using only the hand tools of the colonial era. After graduating from college with a degree in philosophy, she went on to more traditional carpentry. After several years on the job, she moved indoors to work with a cabinetmaker doing high-end kitchens. At the same time, she began to work on projects for friends, and then for friends of friends. Before she knew it, she was in business.

Kate says: “I’ve been working with wood for over a decade and finding new ways of bringing out its natural beauty fills me with pleasure. I like to stay close to the material, incorporating the grain and imperfections of the wood into the project. This makes each piece unique, whether it’s an exclusive design or a simple box. I also use hand tools whenever I can. Although routers and table saws are useful and necessary, I prefer to sit at my bench and cut dovetails using a hand saw and chisels.”