Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Moody.
Michael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
For over two and a half decades, I have been designing and crafting pieces of livable art – furniture that fits an individual’s style and needs. I was trained in traditional woodworking and carpentry methods by my grandfather; a man who believed in the value of woodworking by hand – without the use of power tools.
I studied the art of woodworking by watching my grandfather hand-craft cabinets, tables, and other pieces of furniture. I carry forth this tradition today by designing and creating pieces of furniture that are not only hand-made but also emphasize sustainability. I source all live-edge lumber from reclaimed, recycled, and reusable materials. Moreover, all of my designs are completed by hand; a true work of legacy craftsmanship.
I am not a large company. I am simply one man – I do not have employees or people who build tables in my name. I am a designer who finds inspiration in creating beautiful pieces of livable art and someone who wishes to carry forth traditional methods of woodworking. I am a Colorado native who relocated to Phoenix over a decade ago because I was enchanted by the Sonoran desert.
I continue to find daily inspiration in our beautiful landscape and source local desert lumber to build my pieces. I make one piece at a time with the intention that it will become an heirloom to be passed among generations. Always remembering my grandfather’s woodshop, I emphasize quality over quantity, craftsmanship over manufacturing, and creation over production.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, no worthy path is ever smooth!
Although we tend to think of wood as a simple product, each piece presents its own challenges. Mother nature produces pieces of wood that are variant, turbulent, and sometimes downright messy. Through exposure to wind, water, and sunlight, a tree carries a signature; a hallmark of its own special character. Think of the undulating twists of an olive tree and you will know what I mean!
To me, the signature of a top-notch woodworker is the ability to adapt to nature’s variance and bring out the beauty of each piece of wood. Often a piece of wood will present in a way that is not particularly pleasing – blemishes, notches, unevenness, etc.
When I can give a tree a second life by allowing its unique beauty to shine through in a piece of custom furniture, I meet this challenge head-on because I both respect nature’s design and simultaneously showcase the signature and character of that piece of wood.
In my mind, anyone can work with wood. But not everyone can be a great woodworker.
The greatness is in seeing a piece of nature’s work – in all its wild beauty – and to be able to harness that beautiful power into a piece of furniture that lives on for many years to come.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I specialize in midcentury modern furniture. Yes, I know those are buzzwords these days. But again, mid-century was the style of furniture my grandfather built – clean lines, simple design, and always integrated with nature.
My grandfather was a steelworker by trade. Back in those days, steel would arrive on oak pallets. He used that oak to craft beautiful pieces of furniture from what was essentially scrap lumber. His work was always clean, simple, and flowed with the natural beauty of the oak.
I respect my grandfather’s tradition of midcentury design while bringing a modern aspect by incorporating other materials to highlight the beauty of the wood – think pure copper, brass, glass, and marble – all the while highlighting nature’s design. When designing a piece, I ask myself “how can I bring the outdoors in?”
This respect for tradition, minimalism, and integration with modern design is what sets me apart from others.
What are you striving for, what criteria or markers have you set as indicators of success?
Look at the cover of any magazine and success usually means making money, achieving fame, or having widespread recognition. However, to me, success is much more internal than external. I feel success when I am able to make a living by doing what I love.
To me, success is determined by taking responsibility for my own life, my talents, and how I can integrate woodworking with my eye for design and passion for creativity. I define success as an internal feeling – when I curate an amazing piece of wood, when a design comes together in my workshop, when a client’s face lights up at the perfect piece of furniture – to me, that is success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7147 E Rancho Vista Dr
Scottsdale AZ 85251 - Website: www.michaelmadley.com
- Phone: 480-490-4922
- Email: hello@michaelmadley.com
- Instagram: @madleydesign
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