Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabe.
Gabe, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I discovered my love for woodworking while I was in college at UC Berkeley. At the time, I never expected it to become a career, but after graduating and entering the workforce, I kept being drawn back to the craft.
In 2017, I was accepted into the Krenov School of Fine Woodworking in Mendocino, California, where I was able to truly explore the limits of the material and the discipline. After graduating, I began designing and building bespoke furniture and built-in cabinetry for homes throughout the California Bay Area, with a strong emphasis on sourcing the highest-quality hardwoods available.
In 2023, as our family outgrew our home in the Bay Area, we relocated to a two-acre property in my wife’s hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. There, I built my dream shop and continue to create thoughtfully designed, custom furniture for homes in the region.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Custom furniture design is an adventurous practice. One day I’m in a multi-million-dollar home discussing fine design details with a client; the next, I’m climbing stacks of wobbling wood slabs in the rain, searching for the perfect board. The road to get here has been anything but smooth, filled with setbacks, uncertainty, and hard-earned lessons. That’s why I always tell new woodworkers that if they want to truly make it in this field, they have to love every part of the craft, not just the finished piece.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My clients have very specific needs. Whether it’s a wall unit that must adhere to exact dimensions or a room that’s clearly calling for a statement desk or table. That’s where I step in.
During the design process, I begin by asking a few pointed questions about my client’s vision and functional needs. From there, I generate three unique digital models of the piece. This is where the process really becomes collaborative. Together, we refine details within each model and often uncover new ideas that shape the final design.
Once materials (such as wood species) are selected and the final model is approved, the build can begin. On delivery day, I want my clients to feel their fingerprints in every design choice and detail, because a truly authentic piece of furniture doesn’t just fit a space, it reflects the story of the people who live with it.
What makes you happy?
A fresh batch of hardwood delivered to my shop when a new project is about to begin.
A finely tuned and sharpened hand plane.
Delta Blues echoing through my shop as the machines purr.
Delivery day, when both me and my client see the finished product in their space for the first time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nextbevel.com
- Instagram: @nextbevel
