Shortly after Michael Doerr, the fine furniture maker in Sturgeon Bay, had decided to show his work at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York, he was on the phone with Troy Hanson, the show’s director. They discussed finding someone to show their work on the walls behind his chairs and tables. A short time later his wife, Bobbi, said Sandra Martinez had called and asked if she and Wence could show their rugs and wall-hangings with Doerr. Sandra Martinez said once she had sent images of Wence’s work to Hanson, he immediately accepted them into the show, described the rugs as “trophy work,” and said the MADE exhibition has nothing else like it.
On Saturday afternoon, three days into the four-day show, they were feeling a little tired but also exhilarated by all the positive attention from people who had paid $25 for the show ticket -- 40,000 were expected including hundreds of interior designers and architects who got in free.
Doerr and Martinez were exhibiting in a section called MADE where 160 artisans and artists were showing a juried selection of limited edition and one-of-a-kind fine art objects, furniture, and lighting.
Most of the show floor was large commercial displays of high end products for the home including home furnishings, kitchen and bath products, flooring, fabric, lighting, and outdoor products. For the fourth year the show also included Dining By Design -- an areas devoted to incredibly elaborate table settings and lighting.
“We’ve had some people come by who really know weaving,” said Sandra. And they were very impressed by the intricate patterns which she designs and Wence executes. They also appreciated the range of hand-spun wool colors and the organic dyes Wence used in much of the work.
“You are honoring your tradition but you are furthering it and keeping it alive,” one visitor told them.
Doerr, who works in northern hardwood such as oak, maple, cherry and Kentucky coffee nut, makes chairs with a flowing design and a solid feel he attributes in part to his use of the Sam Maloof joint.
After working for several years building large wooden sailing boats for the Olympus Boat company in central Wisconsin, where he worked with Master shipwright Ferdinand Nimphius, he decided to apply his woodworking skills to furniture. His chairs sell for $2,300 while benches and tables vary in price by size and complexity. The wood is treated with a hand-rubbed oil finish.
He too was pleased to find people who understood the value of his work.
“I like it and I’m already thinking of next year,” he said. “I’ve talked to educated people who understand this is not your mother’s chair, but one with high end design and sculptural aspects.”
By Satuday afternoon the Door County artisans had heard many expressions of interest. Several interior decoratos asked for detailed information about their work, including how long it took to produce a piece and what sizes they could work in.
Doerr said nothing is certain until a check arrives, but he recalled a show he did several years ago. A man showed interest in the work and then somewhat over a year ago ordered a table that occupied Doerr for nearly nine months.
