In the Fall of 2015, I was commissioned to build a meeting table and rolling shelving units for the Freshly Squeezed Print Shop, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When owners Matt and Gracie bought their current building, they got ahold of me and asked for some interior design suggestions as well as some custom furniture. We linked Pinterest boards to share ideas. As they worked on their renovations, I worked on preliminary ideas and sourcing of raw materials.
Over the next year, we met in person, communicated online and over e-mail. We discussed the options from walk up counters, to free-standing furniture. What made the most sense for the shop became a free-standing workbench and three, free-standing, low, rolling, shelving units. The shelving units can be wheeled to fit under the bench, or anywhere else in the space. While discussing materials Walnut was the intital lumber choice although, we settled on Ash for it’s clean lines, Scandinavian look and cost.
The workbench had to be more than just a counter. It needed to invite people to gather in conversation to discuss what ideas they might have for their business cards or wedding invitations. It also had to function like a workbench where Gracie could spread out all her supplies when the shop was closed. The desk also needed to have a few large drawers to stash things away and one that locked like a cash drawer. The design of the “A" frame legs is a reference to historical industrial tables that not only look cool, but are built that way for strength and longevity. A frame industrial tables were popular around the time the two printing presses in the shop were made. The design of the shelving units changed over time and we landed on half open-backed units which made the space feel more open. I was also able to find casters that look exactly like the printing fly-wheel logo for their shop, so those we're no question!
The images below show how the design developed as I refined the ideas to meet their needs and wants. By November of 2016, I delivered the pieces and they’ve been well loved over the past few years!
Check out their work here: https://www.printfreshlysqueezed.com