Lawrence Pile lives and works in the Kessler Park historical neighborhood in Dallas, Texas.

During his life, Mr. Pile has contributed to the creative community as a painter, photographer, furniture-maker and stained-glass artist. He is single and is owner of two Greyhounds.

The Artist's Philosophy (AKA The Voice of the Artist)

"Have nothing in your home that you do not love or know to be well-made"
 --Wm. Morris

I believe in the use of completely natural materials, traditional colors and simple designs in the American Arts & Crafts tradition. I carefully listen to and consider the desires of the customer before embarking upon a commission in order to create a piece that appropriately matches the vision of the customer with the architectural environment of the customer's home.

I also use the best possible methods of craftmanship. While this often means time-tested, traditional processes such as mortise and tenon joinery and splined mitres, I also use modern technology such as state-of-the-art glues and finishing methods.

My philosophy results in commissioned furniture and stained glass infused with quality materials, quality workmanship, aesthetic appeal and artistic integrity.

FAQ

What follows is a list of some frequently asked questions. Feel free to contact us if your question is not answered.

Why custom furniture?
Why custom stained glass?
Artist & Customer Collaboration - What is the commissioning process?

Why custom furniture?

My customers commission custom furniture for numerous reasons. Some desire furniture, lamps or stained glass to fit in a specific area of their home or office, therefore requiring the piece to be constructed to fit certain dimensions. Others want items crafted in a particular wood or finish. In short, my customers desire features that mass-produced furniture, lamps or stained glass do not have.

My customers also recognize the substantial differences in the quality of materials and methods of construction and willingly pay for those superior features. For example, many tabletops are fine veneers on top of MDF or plywood. I use nothing but solid wood. Many furniture manufacturers use dowels or screws instead of the much stronger solid wood mortise and tenon joint. My drawer slides are made of hardwood in lieu of manufactured metal slides that feel as artificial as they appear.

In the end, Kessler Craftsman customers receive a one-of-a-kind commissioned piece that can be enjoyed by generations to come.

Why custom stained glass?

In today's mass-production world, stained glass remains a costly and rare commodity due to the cost of the materials and the intensive labor involved in the craft. When you commission stained glass from the Kessler Craftsman, you are buying "art for your architecture." My customers, their interior designers or their architects are able to specify dimensions, designs and colors. My job as an artist is to listen to customer values and interests and inquire about home or office architecture. It is also important for my customers to know the range of authentic period styling that can be reflected in their commissioned piece, such as Victorian, English Tudor, Art Deco or Modern styling.

Artist & Customer Collaboration - What is the commissioning process?

The process of commissioning a Kessler Craftsman piece requires the future owner to carefully consider the final product. This includes esthetic requirements (such as color, finish, shape and design), the architectural environment in which the commissioned piece will be placed and the desired functionality, if applicable.

The next phase is the design phase, during which the customer and I review various options for their commission. It is during this beginning stage that I submit several preliminary CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings to assist the future owner in determining the final design. Once the customer is completely satisfied with the design, I will produce a final CAD drawing reflecting the agreed-upon specifications.

Depending upon the commissioned piece (e.g., furniture, stained glass panel), the last design phase involves selecting such particulars as type of wood, type of finish, style of hardware (e.g. drawer pulls), glass texture and color, and lead versus Tiffany style. All samples are to the customer at no additional cost.

During the actual construction process, I provide regular updates to the customer on the progress of their commission, either through e-mail (includes digital pictures) or the in-progress section of the Kessler Craftsman website. This pictorial evolution is a valuable part of the process as it provides insight into the transformation of quality raw materials into a work of art.

All Kessler Craftsman pieces are dated and signed for authenticity. My workmanship is also guaranteed for life.