Chris McEwen was born and raised in Eastbourne, Wellington.

From an early age it became apparent that he had a natural gift for everything wooden.

It was no surprise once leaving college he ventured into the cabinet making, joinery and building industries.

After completing an apprenticeship at Odlins in Petone, he went his own way renovating old villas and building new houses in the Eastbourne area.

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I met Chris in 1989.

From his workshop beside a large Kauri boat hull came the sounds of an old Tanner thicknesser and buzzer along with stacks of timber and even larger piles of sawdust, I knew I had met a true 'woody' when I saw him and the beautiful furniture he was making, that had not come from any plans on paper but straight from his mind.    

I brought my background in Stained glass windows and developed a passion for sanding and finishing furniture using wood oils, shellacs, American milkpaints and wax's.

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Chris and I moved from Eastbourne to the Wairarapa in 1993.

While bringing up our now adult children, we continued to build furniture, along with building character houses around the Wairarapa region.

Having been brought up with both of us building all kinds of structures throughout their childhood, Jasmine and Bill developed their own unique style and talents, to add to our own which has produced a new generation with fresh ideas and invaluable skills.

Jas has a keen eye for details and proportions and the confidence and knowledge to finish interior and exterior builds with the finishes she selects. 

Bills knowledge is in construction, from the foundations to completion, always up for a challenge is Bill, he has a natural ability with steel and produces many large trailers when required.