06/16/2026
There’s a constant tug-of-war in this craft between creating for yourself and creating for the market.
These nightstands started as an experiment. I wanted to push myself outside my comfort zone and give them a split personality, one side solid, one side featuring a bold buffalo check design. It was a far cry from my usual style. If you’ve followed my work for a while, you know I lean toward timeless, curated pieces with an old-money feel. Clean lines, classic finishes, and designs that won’t feel dated in a year.
But every now and then, the artist in me wants to play.
As the project unfolded, reality stepped in. The market has been slower than usual, and halfway through I ran out of tape. Standing there, I had a choice: keep chasing the original vision or pivot toward something I knew would appeal to a broader audience.
So I pivoted.
The color is already outside my usual palette, and these whimsical nightstands have plenty of personality on their own. In the end, I decided to let their shape do the talking and went with a solid finish instead.
It’s funny how often creativity and profitability end up negotiating with each other in this business.
Did I make the right call?
