In May of 2016 I graduated from architecture school with a mountain of loan debt and a passion for design. Soon after graduation I found a job at a local architecture firm where I worked to pursue a career and pay down my student loans. However, I soon realized that a desk job wasn’t for me, so nine months into my “career” (and after I made my last loan payment) I left.

With a few bucks and a big vision to pursue my childhood passion, I setup shop in the basement of my parents log home and began building custom furnishings once again. In this small shop I produced some of my best work, but I quickly outgrew the space.

In February of 2020 I purchased a historic building in downtown Seneca, Illinois and began a complete remodel of the interior. After a year of renovation, I moved my shop and it is here where I continue to build and showcase my finest work.

I founded Drake Woodworking on the notion of making furniture into more than an object, but an experience. Here, in my small-town studio I merge my architectural sensitivities with fine craft to create pieces that transcend their function to become a part of your life and home.

State-Of-The-Art, in Seneca.

Small-town shops are often considered out-of-date, but not here.

As a small design studio, I believe that a high-tech shop coupled with a highly-skilled craftsman is the best way to produce great work, efficiently. My shop is outfitted with modern equipment that is true and consistent, which results in better furniture for you.

In 2022 I added a new 72x144” 3-axis CNC machine to my studio. This new machine offers many functions that were relegated to strict hand-work in the past such as slab flattening, 3-D carving, engraving, milling, and other precision functions. My background in architectural design has provided me with the knowledge and skill to design and manufacture in the digital space and take advantage of state-of-the-art equipment like this.

Because CNC machines are expensive and inaccessible to most people, I am opening up a machining service to help other designers and craftsmen realize their visions. To inquire about your own custom CNC project, fill out the form below and I will reach out to you.