David Marsh was making fine rosewood and walnut conference tables and office furniture for wealthy bankers and oil men with three partners in 1975. But a short time later, with a backlog of orders to fill and too much stress, the partners agreed to disband the business, and David set up a different kind of furniture company. He was inspired by Mennonite, Shaker, and other folk styles, and he began to create a new line stamped with his own brand of creativity, with the help of a few friends.

Dining and coffee tables, cabinets, bookshelves and other unusual pieces are crafted out of pine with old-style hand tools and decorated with paint, marbles, and tacks. David draws from many art influences as he embellishes his folk art furniture with a serious whimsy.

He has said many times: "If someone has joy in producing something, it will be one of his or her best products. And if you give them some freedom, they'll have pride and self esteem in what they do."

David and all the artists and makers in his Houston, Texas workshops proudly sign their names on the back of each piece adding happy symbols and nonsense words. "That's to tell the customer," says Marsh, "if you don't love it, don't buy it, and to remind the worker, if it's not fun, don't do it."

He adds: "Joyfullness is not an accident!"

HumanArts Home is proud to have represented David Marsh in California since 1995. We continue to get three to four shipments a year and there's always some exciting new work, as David and his crew keeps experimenting with color, pattern, and texture.

David Marsh's work may be found in HumanArts Home. For more information please contact us at 805-646-8245.