“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.
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
Oval Coffee Table Pair
Here a pair of coffee tables from a single top answer the need for two nesting tables and a child height movable unit. The glass keeps it clean and allows view to the contents [...]
Knife Box
Having fallen, the ground of the box was badly crushed lifting the veneer and splitting the substrate. Once these were repaired the veneer was re-layed and new pieces were fitted where required. String inlay was prepared by gluing up maple and walnut pieces then cut to fit. The French polish was restored as per the original.
Os de Mouton Chairs
These chairs are made in the 17th century French Os de Mouton ("bones of lamb") style . This refers to the leg-like shape repeated on many elements of the chairs. They are made of [...]
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 [...]
Salares Health Centre Suite
Asian styled butternut furniture for health centre waiting room. Set consists of 5 pieces including: Coffee Table, End Tables, Settee and Work Table.
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 [...]
Chess Table with Drawer
This is a small chess table for keen players. The playing surface is inlaid maple and rosewood. The drawer is shared through both sides and the inside is felt lined. The primary wood is [...]
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 [...]
Campbell’s Fence
Decorative panelled entrance posts made for a Victorian house in the grand style. The large urns are copies of those found at the doctor’s house in Upper Canada Village. The swans elicit the river front [...]
Ready to Talk?
Do you have a vision for a piece of furniture you’d like to be built?