You will find here the work of Dr. Matthew J. Ferguson, M.D., a passionate woodworker during all the moments of his spare time.  The images in this book represent a small sample of the beautiful and practical work that Matt has been producing for many decades for himself, his family and friends.  

As his stepson, I have known Matt for over 15 years and I have never known him when he wasn't working on a project in the woodshop.  He is extremely efficient in his work, and is able to produce large quantities of fine woodwork without much stress.  Whenever another of his children or stepchildren acquires a new home, Matt is there taking measurements for any work he could do to improve the space.

Matt has a refined taste, whether the result of nature or nurture we will never know.  His mother worked, and his family lived, in the homes of New York's wealthy when he was young. Thus, he learned to appreciate the finer things of life as a boy.  A practical and independent man, Matt chose woodworking as a means of raising his own home to the standards to which he had been exposed as a child.  Anyone who has visited his beautiful brownstone in Greenwich Village can attest to the fact that Matt has created an extremely elegant living space, primarily through his own handiwork.

Throughout his career, Matt has sought guidance from anyone of knowledge he chanced to meet.  His long term friendship with Jean Paul Viollet, a master woodworker in Brooklyn, NY, has helped him improve his craft and has allowed him access to industrial tools not available to the average hobbyist.  Jean Paul is world renowned for his fine furniture, featuring many exotic materials, including shagreen, parchment, straw, shell and horn.

This book was made in honor of Matt's 80th birthday on Dec 12, 2008.

I spent a month photographing Matt's work in January 2008, traveling to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Baltimore and the Adirondacks to find the furniture shown here.  One hundred and two pages contain 216 images, and very brief descriptions of each of Matt's pieces of work. 

Size is 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm).