A Legacy of Dedication and Craftsmanship
After a distinguished 20-year career in the United States Army, serving 4 years with the Rangers and 16 years with the Special Forces, I retired in 2003 and embarked on a new journey. I reside and work in Bozeman, Montana with my wife, Anne. My focus shifted from military service to mastering the art of fine furniture making—a craft I have come to respect and love deeply. My family supports my passion for fine furniture making, and I am proud to be part of this community.
Learning From a Master
My journey into fine furniture making began under the tutelage of master cabinetmaker Ben Hobbs. Ben has been an invaluable mentor with nearly 30 years of experience crafting Early American furniture in Hertford, NC. I met Ben over 20 years ago when I retired from the Army and started a contracting job in Hertford. His expertise, particularly in coastal North Carolina design, and his ability to create stunning pieces with just a few hand tools inspired me to dedicate myself to this craft. I have studied Ben's techniques and skills continuously to hone my craft.Â
Continuing a Vanishing Art
The art of making fine furniture has nearly vanished from modern society. I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned these skills from a master craftsman and to be able to carry on this tradition of handmade furniture. Each piece I create is a testament to traditional woodworking techniques' enduring beauty and quality. Explore the craftsmanship and dedication behind every piece at Harris Furniture, where tradition and quality come together to create timeless heirlooms.
Ben Hobbs 2011 Cartouche award winner
Embracing Traditional Techniques
The design, construction, and joinery of 18th-century furniture present challenges that I enthusiastically embrace. Hand-cut dovetails and the mortise and tenon joint have been hallmarks of fine furniture for centuries. These techniques, known for their simplicity and strength, are integral to my work, whether creating a fine reproduction or a contemporary design.
Personalized Furniture Design
Embark on a journey of craftsmanship with Harris Furniture's commission services. Tailored to your unique vision and needs, my custom furniture commissions blend traditional artistry with modern elegance. Let me create a masterpiece that reflects your style and enhances your space.
Wood Selection and Preparation
Every piece begins with hand-selected lumber chosen for its exceptional grain and color. I prioritize solid woods for all components, including drawer bottoms and interior parts, while secondary woods like pine, cypress, and poplar are used for additional structural elements. This approach mirrors the practices of 18th-century craftsmen, who valued secondary woods for their practicality and the preservation of rare hardwoods.
Craftsmanship and Construction
Utilizing a blend of industrial machinery and meticulous hand tools, I mill and dimension the lumber to exacting standards. Hand tools are then employed to refine surfaces, ensuring a flawless finish that surpasses that of mass-produced furniture. Each custom order is crafted from start to finish in my workshop, guaranteeing superior quality and durability that will endure for generations.
Testimonials
Don, thanks so much for the exquisite jewelry box you designed and made for my wife. We both are amazed at the meticulous detail and expert craftsmanship you put into its construction. It is truly a work of art that will be enjoyed and admired in our family for many generations!
- Bruce and Kellie Davidson
My husband and I decided to purchase a new coffee table for our family room. We wanted to maintain the formal look of the room, and we could not find a table to match our need. We then consulted with Don Harris. Don demonstrated great knowledge and insight into our style of furniture. He pointed out details of our furniture which we had not even noticed before, but which he ultimately tied in to our new table. We never felt that Don imposed his own ideas on us, instead he listened to our thoughts, making the whole experience a very collaborative process. He had a couple of very detailed furniture books and gave us a great idea of what the end product would look like. The final product exceeded our expectation. Don's attention to detail impressed us. He is extremely meticulous, timely, and communicated with us throughout the process, demonstrating a great work ethic. We have received great compliments on the coffee table. What we like most about Don's work is that he ties his furniture into matching the existing home, which makes his work very personal to its environment. We would highly recommend Don Harris to anyone who is looking for custom built furniture.
- Adriana Frazier
I would like to highly recommend Don Harris for his superb wood craftsmanship in creating special order pieces as well as for his customer service. Don created for me an oak frame for a large piece of stained glass mosaic. The frame compliments and enhances the piece. In addition, he took a drab maple table top and crafted farm table legs and an apron and turned it into a conversation piece! Both pieces have detailing that one never sees in furniture stores today. He is a perfectionist and it shows in his product. I can't wait to come up with something else for him to build for me!
- Susan Taylor
Don Harris worked with our thoughts and visions and created a most wonderful piece of art for us, our front door. I had been looking on the internet and at various shows trying to find a door that would work for our house - not a one size fits all.
Don created a wonderful mahogany door for us with beveled glass that was in keeping with a clean Shaker/Mission style look to work with our very eclectic log style infused with 1970’s mountain house.
The door is beautiful and installation seemed effortless – even though we know that Donnie had his work cut out for him since nothing in our house is average/normal or even to code! We felt the price of the door was commensurate with the amazing workmanship.
- Carolyn Quan
"There’s Nothing Like Getting Your Hands on Fine Smooth Curves" From the Blog of Eric Lars Bakke, Photographer March 27th, 2009
One of the benefits of my work is learning something new just about every day from either news sources, research or the people and the businesses they develop or direct or perhaps by the products they produce.
Most recently my schooling came from Don Harris. Harris, who lives here in Evergreen, is a career military man with a penchant for making furniture. Not your basic shop class stuff mind you, but exquisite, detailed period furniture. These chairs, tables, chests of drawers and bed frames are pieces of art.
It is the type of craftsmanship that once you have seen or touched the wood you know immediately a man’s soul has penetrated the deep rich grain and left an indelible mark of love and care.
Don has plans to launch a second career as a high-end furniture maker and wood craftsman. He contacted me to photograph his current collection so he not only has a record of his pieces but to have the building blocks for a website and future marketing material.
After speaking with this quiet methodical man with a seasoned Georgian accent, it became very apparent his military background wedged with discipline, determination and resiliency would meet the task at hand.
He has chiseled good looks and a physique that would take you out in one blow. However, there is a gentleness to him that shows his caring for not only for the raw woods and tools neatly positioned in his well designed wood shop but also for his wife and two children.
In the twelve hours I spent with him my knowledge of wood and the evolution of its natural state into artistry quadrupled. Though I was familiar with some wood working terms seeing Don’s definition of dove tail, breadbox and dental gave me a whole new perspective.
Get Started
Are you ready to transform your vision into a handcrafted masterpiece? Contact Harris Furniture today to begin your custom furniture journey.