Who are the people behind Typewriter Boneyard and what do they do?
My wife Chelsea and I are the people behind Typewriter Boneyard. She recently quit her part-time job at a French café to be full time Typewriter Boneyard. While we both inspire each other and help brainstorm new products, I do all of the construction of the pieces. Chelsea handles the fun stuff like packaging/shipping and entering expenses into QuickBooks.
Where do you find the books used for some of your pieces? What kind of books do you look for?
We spend hours and hours in thrift/book stores around town (San Diego). When we’re sneezing our way through dusty books, we look for 3 things: color, texture and cover design. If a book is awesome in at least 2 of those categories and good overall shape, we bring it home. The bookshelf not only houses all of these ‘ready to be made’ books, but also helps balance the stacks of books on the floor behind it!
How did you come up with the idea for the book lamps? How long does it take to craft each one?
Before thinking of and beginning to create book lamps, I was getting into steam punk and was trying to make lamps with old cigar boxes. In the process of one such cigar box, I had a few lamp pieces sitting on an old book on my desk. Needless to say, a BIG light bulb went off. Even though I have improved and tried to perfect my process, it still takes anywhere from 2-5 hours to source, cut, drill, wire, and seal each book lamp.
What did you develop first, the pendants or the book lamps? What was the development of your first prototype like?
The book lamps were the first creation I really liked and knew I would never get bored of making. The development process for the prototype existed of having my father, an electrician for 20 years, review it and make sure it was safe! From there, it kept evolving as I got access to better parts, bulbs, wire etc. and branched out into different features and uses.
What title would you give yourself that best describes what you do?
I like the title (and I use it in my email signature) ‘Imagineer’. I’ve always been imaginative and always drawn to the creative. I’m fortunate that I have a wife who shares and fuels that passion.
How would define the style of your work? Modern, vintage, classic, or anything else?
My work is very hard to define! I’m often asked to explain what I do and usually give up and show them a picture on the cell phone. It’s a blend of vintage and modern without a doubt, and I really like the term ‘old-world’. If there’s such thing as a ‘modern vintage’ style, I’m fine falling in that category.
Is there an era of design that inspires your work more?
Mid-Century (late 60’s I guess) is by far the largest inspiration for my style. I love the color and uniqueness of the fashion and design. The Industrial Revolution is also up there on the list.
Outside of Typewriter Boneyard, are there any other projects you work on?
Outside of the Typewriter Boneyard, I’m constantly working on furniture projects for our home. I recently picked up some hairpin legs to make a new coffee table – and I’m sure the list of furniture that Chelsea wants me to make has no end.
What's your studio space look like? What music or inspiration keeps you motivated?
My workspace is a small covered patio behind our small house. We’re in process of packing up and moving to a loft in downtown San Diego for more space! Our current décor is very industrial vintage, and I have a lot of big plans for the new space including a ‘packaging’ wall unit made of lead pipe, reclaimed wood, and canvas for a ‘packaging peanut shoot’. There is ALWAYS music playing at full volume in our house. Most of the time it’s folk or acoustic, but it varies widely from Sigur Ros to Bluegrass, to Dubstep (when the wife isn’t home).
Who are your favorite designers, architects or artists?
Chelsea and I have a pretty serious crush on Charles and Ray Eames. If we could afford it, all of our seating would be their designs! I’m also a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, Banksy and Donald N. Frey (idea-man behind the first generation Ford Bronco). Film directors are a whole other paragraph, but we really like Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Wes Anderson.
What's your personal motto?
I view life as an adventure, so if I were to put a motto to that effect, it would be to “keep adventuring, no matter what”.
Share: