Our two-year Cabinet & Furniture Making program teaches fine craftsmanship through projects incorporating 18th- and 19th-century furniture examples. With these traditional models as a foundation, you’ll be able to design and build furnishings of any era you choose.
As a custom furniture maker at NBSS, you’ll learn how to use and maintain both hand tools and power equipment. You’ll estimate costs, choose materials, and prepare working drawings for each project. You’ll cut various joints, turn, carve, and bend wood, apply marquetry or veneers. You’ll develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to create thoughtful furniture pieces to exacting standards.

Our award-winning faculty are leaders in the field, and other established artisans and historians regularly visit the School to lead training workshops. The expansive, light-filled program space includes a large bench room, demonstration area, library, and finishing room. Students take regular field trips to view private and museum collections, and to visit the shops of prominent local woodworkers.

In addition to our full-time program, we offer short-term Continuing Education courses for students of all levels. Some workshops include: Handcut Dovetails, Fundamentals of Machine Woodworking, Traditional Woodcarving, Decorative Inlay & Marquetry, Bowl Turning, Windsor Chair Making, and a Three-Month Furniture Making Intensive. Sign up below to learn more.