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HOME 2018-07-27T22:45:19+00:00

I often seek the company of growing trees for spiritual nurture, balance of the soul and the emotional calm that has become increasingly necessary in our world.

Who I Am

My name is David Sentesy. Born and raised in Dundas Ontario, my Grandfather introduced me to wood, teaching me about care for the living tree. My father introduced me to the precision and planning of an engineer. These skills powerfully shape my life and my life’s work.

I attended Carleton University from 1967 to 1971 and graduated with an arts degree in History and English. Following this I moved to Toronto to continue my studies. Before I finished school there, however, I realized that what I loved was working with wood in the science workshops at Carleton – building a harpsichord.

I followed my passion. I began accepting woodwork commissions and worked largely with hand tools. Learning how to shape wood by hand has fostered an incredible respect for power tools, but much more respect for the tree. In 1972 I married and moved to Ottawa where I worked with an Italian cabinetmaker. Several years later, when due to demand he began to build with particle board veneer and plastic laminates, I left him and moved to a homestead in the Ottawa valley. I set up my workshop next to my home.

Learn More

Trees are a unique flora. They provide our planet with lungs and filters. They moderate climate, build soil, shelter life, and provide food. The way we work with them preserves their beauty and wholeness allowing us to feel their strength and patience.

Our Work

Our Work
2018-08-02T19:35:12+00:00

Document Boxes

These dovetailed cases and drawers were made of Burma teak salvaged from the deck of the “Empress of Ireland” at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River. They were made to hold the effects [...]

2018-08-02T19:48:11+00:00

French Canadian Buffet

This piece is a careful reproduction of a French Canadian Buffet. It reflects classic Louis XIII style with carved diamond-point losenges on the front and sides. Panels are worked into the posts and framed [...]

2018-08-02T19:58:46+00:00

Cherry Chairs

This chair was designed with a family heirloom chair in mind. It uses round mortise, tenons & pre-shrunk spindles for tight joints. The seat is woven of natural leather. The crest rail is from [...]

2018-08-02T19:21:48+00:00

Bath Server

This case work is designed as a bath server for linens. It is a rustic interpretation of Louis XV design elements carefully proportioned and carved in Butternut. Surfaces are worked with edge tools by hand [...]

2018-08-02T20:03:16+00:00

Hickory Chairs

We chose hickory here for its great strength and elasticity.  It can be worked in small sections and in small curves.  It is a frame chair, using rectangular mortise and tenons.  These make a [...]

2018-08-02T17:30:55+00:00

Music Stand

This music stand is made of walnut and uses the familiar Shaker form with French dovetail leg joints. A hollow column with an split top ring allows the desk surface to adjust for height. [...]

2018-08-02T19:29:25+00:00

Mexican Style Credenza

This butternut cabinet in Mexican style was built to hold a powerful stereo system.  It has contoured drawers with mountains carved across the fronts, carved moldings, ebonized beading and break front set back.  All [...]

2018-08-02T16:52:47+00:00

Hickory Table

This table is part of a suite for a health centre. Hickory was chosen for its extreme hardness and beautiful colour. The detailing recalls asian roots of its owner with incurved legs but with [...]

2018-08-02T18:54:54+00:00

Butternut Audio Cabinet

  This has a frame and panel front door with a framed back without a panel giving it rigidity, good airflow, and easy wire access.  Its pine feet allow good damping and easy levelling.  [...]

2018-08-02T18:05:32+00:00

Fireplace Wall

This fireplace wall reconstruction, in full dimension clear pine, was designed using drawings by Julian Smith and consultation. The door panels have unique bolection mouldings. The gallery is on full round beaded posts. It is [...]

2018-08-02T19:39:49+00:00

Deacon’s Bench

Designed for one of the best local maple syrup producers for hard use in a busy farm kitchen.  It has a large storage space for hats, mitts, and scarves.  Using a sliding interior tray, [...]

2022-04-28T16:36:47+00:00

Trestle table

This is my standard trestle table. Its top unbolts and the wedges in the trestle can be driven out to allow easy packing. The finish is oiled  with no stain then urethane coated. It can seat [...]

2018-08-02T18:07:36+00:00

Tea Table

Black walnut reproduction of a Canadian made candle stand circa 1820.  Padded “snake” foot legs are dovetailed into an urn shaped centre turning.  It is much polished with tung oil.  (approximately $1500) [...]

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