American Made

It’s not supposed to be done like this. Sure you can start a company out of your garage. But once you grow up, you’re supposed to take production overseas. They work for 15 cents on the dollar, you know!

We know. But it’s not the way we want to do business. We exist to bring jobs to a small town in rural Colorado. Vendors walk through our shop and shake their heads. “I’ve never seen anyone doing this in the States!”

We love hearing that, because we’re committed to exploring a different business model. We can’t work cheaper than the imports. But we believe that through creativity and innovation, we can deliver to you a product and an experience that leave you feeling just a little bit, well. . . richer.

It just feels more real to us. We hope you’ll agree. Love to hear your thoughts.

Artisan Crafted

Take DD frames as an example. Inspirations become sketches become renderings. Artists meticulously translate this artwork into the language of colors and layers. Then, with techniques and tools barely changed over a thousand years, our screen artists bring the designs to life. One color, one layer, one frame at a time. Other artisans then distress and hand-rub the frames to add a time-worn patina.

Environmentally Friendly

We finish everything we make using water-based paints. It’s aggravating, to be honest. Most companies use lacquers and oils and other stinky solvents because, frankly, they’re easier to work with. Why do we do it? We say it’s about the Environment because it’s cool to have an Environmental Commitment. In truth, though, it’s more about the People. Our finish teams spend the day up to their elbows in the stuff. We feel better about the health of their lungs and brains knowing the most dangerous chemical they’re exposed to is water.

PS. It’s better for the Environment as well.

All right, if you want some strictly Environmental Commitment, how about this: Most of our product line is made from 100% recycled wood. Other parts of the line utilize pine harvested by Ken, a local sawyer, who practices sustainable yield forestry, the same way six generations of his family have before him. When our designs need more detail than water-base can provide, they switch to UV inks, which are 100% VOC-free.