hen the partners of a newly minted handcrafted furniture
shop were contemplating a company name, inspiration came in
the form of Grandpa Harold Sawbridge. The Sawbridge name, they
felt, conveyed a sense of substance and history. And what better
way to express the company’s philosophy—to savor those things
which are timeless, unique and reflect the pride of craftsmanship—than through the “voice” of the elder Sawbridge. Though not exactly out of the horse’s mouth, “it’s what Harold would have thought,” chuckles Paul Zurowski, one of three Sawbridge Studios’ principals.

The concept for a custom handcrafted furniture shop was hatched when Fraser Clark (Harold’s grandson) found a classic farmhouse armoire for his own home. The piece was tooled by a craftsman willing to tailor-make drawers and shelves to Clark’s specifications. Clark and Zurowski, along with Bill Hiscott, all soon-to-be corporate marketing escapees, had tossed around ideas and long sought a business venture together.

The a-ha moment arrived: “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be neat if we had a store that allowed you to organize things in your way
versus what’s in the catalog or warehouse?’” reminisces Zurowski. Sawbridge Studios, in Chicago’s River North Gallery District,
was launched in 1993, and is now on the cusp of its fifteenth anniversary. A second studio opened in 1996 in Winnetka’s
Hubbard Woods neighborhood to accommodate a healthy North Shore clientele.

The stores themselves serve as ideal backdrops for showcasing artisan furniture and accessories. The Chicago studio is
housed in a bank building that dates back to 1890 while the Winnetka shop is nestled in an old converted livery stable.

Home to a range of influences—from 18th century England to American Shaker and contemporary sleek—Sawbridge draws
from a base of forty furniture makers and as many as 130 accessory craftsmen. Displayed handiwork give the shops a
museum-like quality, albeit the unfussy interactive kind.

When selecting a lamp, for example, six different artists provide options in glass or ceramic. A buyer should be sure to check the Sawbridge library of photographs featuring their work. Each artist offers an array of alternatives: A Pomfret lamp by Simon Pearce is a slender profile in hand-blown crystal with a touch of brass, but he produces another ten lamp silhouettes as well as barware, vases, bowls, and candlesticks. All pieces are original designs, and combine function with aesthetics. “Our customer appreciates that it’s made by an artisan and will have a certain quality,” notes Zurowski.

Sawbridge offers a myriad of choices. Yet the only inventory is that which is on the floor. Staying true to the original concept—custom handcrafted furniture—gives customers who are comfortable with their own ideas ability to tweak the final product. Noteworthy is the creation of a four-poster bed, with a mirror in
the canopy, for a couple just returned from a jaunt to Las Vegas.

Some home projects segue into corporate jobs. An investment banking executive, charged with selecting furniture for his
firm’s relocation, was intrigued with the distinctive grain of tiger maple. Tiger maple, also known as curly maple, is a figured
wood favored by 18th century craftsmen. The golden tone and intricate pattern of this species is used today in that era’s
reproduction pieces. However, this particular plan called for a clean contemporary take that Marshall James, a craftsman
experienced in working with tiger maple, fashioned into a boardroom table, several conference tables and a reception desk.

A good design turns out a well-constructed piece. Zurowski is quick
to point out that Sawbridge offers a range of choices in styles, but only forested wood is an option. No hop on the bandwagon here: “We’ve
always been green. Green is about choosing sustainable goods,
domestic woods—cherry, oak, ash, maple, walnut—from controlled
sources. We build things so they last 200 years,” he says. In fact, one Sawbridge devotee noted, “Pieces…will last forever. They have a
chance of becoming family heirlooms.”

Whether it’s the notion of passing on something fine to the next
generation, shopping with conscience, having stake in an original
custom piece (or conversation piece), Sawbridge Studios welcomes
a look. The draw may simply be that the hand of the artist is seen in
the details on each piece. “We’re amongst the few people that are
keeping American craftsmen working,” reflects Zurowski. “It’s a win-win situation. We make it easy for artists to do what they love, and our work celebrates what they create. We support the arts—the functional arts.”



Sawbridge Studios
153 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-828-0055
Fax: 312-828-0066

Sawbridge Studios
1015 Tower Court
Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: 847-441-2441
Fax: 847-441-2442
www.sawbridge.com