About us

Scrimshaw Furniture specializes in creating handcrafted custom furniture. Our dedicated team consists of skilled makers and designers who are committed to crafting high-quality pieces that resonate with your personality and taste.

We take a hands-on approach throughout the entire process, from consultation and design to building, finishing, and delivery. We collaborate closely with you to grasp your needs and preferences, ensuring we produce a unique item that aligns with your style and budget.

My name is Tom O'Donnell, owner of Scrimshaw Furniture. I'm an experienced craftsman and designer with experience working with wood, metals, and glass. From an early age, my father enlisted my "help" building sheds, decks, and various other carpentry projects around our home which he designed. At his encouragement, I would draw up ideas of my own and he would help bring them to life. I had a dream of, instead of a racecar bed, one that looked like a Jeep, so after lengthy design conversations, we (really he) built it. This way of thinking led me to a degree in Mechanical Engineering, then onto designing components for US Navy jet engines and systems used to melt and shape glass.

Working in those industries taught me so much, and I'm happy to talk your ear off about either, but designing for them left something to be desired. Every part I designed was entirely focused on function and producibility, which are both completely necessary, but left little room for aesthetic creativity. To scratch that itch, I began designing and building wood furniture and gifts for myself, family, and friends. My engineering background comes in handy for the structural aspects, precision in joinery, and the ability to digitally model all my pieces in 3D, but now I get to add unnecessary features and curves purely for the sake of appearance.

Through a combination of experimentation, trial and error, and training, I've sharpened my skills and creativity into a true passion. Now, I’m lucky to be able to share it with others by elevating their environments with my handmade pieces.