FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the price range for custom furniture?: Price is a variable and is driven primarily by the market price of exotic woods, design and construction parameters. Fine high-end furniture with an original design is a work of art. We are always open to discussing projects limited to a budget and our customers have found that we are quite competitive with regard to cost.
How long does it take?: The size and complexity of a project will primarily determine the completion time required. The number of doors, drawers, shelves, raised or flat panels, type of hardware, type of finish, etc. are all determining factors. Tom works on 1 project, to completion, at a time. Once he starts your job, he works straight through to completion of your job. He doesn’t stop production on a current project to work on another project and will never sacrifice quality or rush a job. We encourage 6 months lead time when ordering.
What is the process?: We recognize that no two clients are alike, and each piece of furniture should reflect an individual’s design needs. Lederer Studio provides extensive design consultation to determine how each piece should be constructed to meet these goals. Discussed are style (traditional versus contemporary design), function, types of woods, and specific options to create a unique design.; Design time is billable and is credited to the overall cost of a project upon receipt of the initial deposit.; All drawings remain the property of Lederer Studio until project signoff by the customer and an initial deposit has been received.; Any changes requested after the initial project quote has been signed off by both Tom and the customer will generate a separate Change Order requiring the customer’s signiture and approval of any additional cost to their project.
What materials do you use and generally where do they come from?: Lederer Studio uses domestic and exotic hardwoods from all over the world. We do our own veneering using domestic and exotic hardwood veneers. Hardware is individually researched and purchased to complement each piece’s design style and purpose.
What types of finishes are available?: Finish used is determined by the use and purpose of a piece. A finish can be high gloss or flat, lacquer, varnish, catalyzed varnish, urathane, shellac or in some cases paint depending on a customers design preference or project constraints.
How is a piece delivered?: Generally a project is constructed in the shop as free standing parts and delivered in various pieces to be fit together on site. For large built-in cabinets, delivery and installation is separate. It is up to the discretion of Lederer Studio whether an independent installer will be used or a project will be personally installed.
Is everything designed by you, the artist?: Designs are a collaboration of artist and customer vision and focus. All designs are unique and drafted using input from personal consultation with customers. Tom works with individuals to determine each customer’s vision while never compromising structure for design.
Is everything custom built?: All pieces are constructed in our shop using traditional and contemporary fine joinery. One of Tom’s primary goals is the careful hand selection process of choosing woods with careful attention to color, grain matches, finishes, and hardware.
Do you use traditional joinery?: All furniture is constructed using domestic and exotic hardwoods and veneers, while executing traditional fine joinery techniques to include mortise and tenon, mitre-spline, lap joints, rabbet and dado and dovetail joints (where specifically requested).
Are all your pieces made in solid woods?: Pieces are constructed using domestic and exotic hardwood veneers, furniture grade ply woods and veneered MDF as well as solid hardwoods. As solid woods become increasingly expensive and hard to come by, the fiscally and environmentally responsible alternative is to find other structurally sound and durable materials with which to build cabinet carcuses. Tom does not use flakeboard, pine or soft woods, or pre-finished plywood. All materials used in our shop are personally chosen select woods and veneeres.
Do you do your own veneering?: In most cases, yes. This alternative to solid cabinets gives customers options for choosing domestic and exotic hardwoods for their projects that would otherwise be unavailable or cost prohibitive.
How long have you been in business?: Lederer Studio was formed in the summer of 1978 to provide fine furniture, wood carving and sculpture to individuals who appreciate art furniture and originally designed pieces.
What geographic area do you cover?: Currently Lederer Studio services the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Estimate and travel time is billable for anything over 2 hours away from Columbus, New Jersey. Where shipping is required or preferred by the customer, the cost becomes the responsibility of the customer.
Where did you learn cabinetry?: Tom studied cabinetry as an apprentice in early 1970’s with cabinet makers in New Hope, Pa. Allen Rockwell and Phil Powell. He worked for Lawrence Rush of Colmar, Pa. and Ray Najinsky of Carversville, Pa. and studied carving with Master Carver Ian Agrell in San Francisco in 1995.