Custom Furniture FAQ in Marin County, CA

If you have furniture customization questions about working with Spencer Mason Designs, you are in the right place. This page covers the bespoke furniture process from first conversation to final delivery, so you know exactly what to expect. Every piece Curtis Underhill creates is a one-of-a-kind work of functional art, and understanding how custom furniture ordering works helps you feel confident from day one.

Custom Furniture Questions in Marin County, CA
Your Questions About the Bespoke Furniture Process, Answered
  • What types of custom furniture does Spencer Mason Designs build?

    Spencer Mason Designs specializes in large-scale statement furniture for the home, including custom dining tables, coffee tables, desks and office furniture, console and entryway tables, and benches. Each piece is built using highly figured walnut and artistic epoxy resin, often with custom-fabricated metal bases made in collaboration with local Northern California fabricators. Smaller accessories such as charcuterie boards and coasters are also available, though the core focus remains on substantial, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces.
  • What is the difference between a custom commission and available furniture?

    A custom commission starts with your ideas, inspiration photos, or a specific spatial need. You work directly with Curtis to choose the wood slab, epoxy treatment, edge profile, and base style. The timeline for a custom commission is roughly one month to ten weeks depending on complexity. Available furniture pieces are completed original designs by Curtis that are ready to acquire, with predetermined specifications and dimensions. Availability for those pieces is subject to current inventory.
  • How does the bespoke furniture process work from start to finish?

    The process begins with a conversation, not a digital configurator. You share your ideas, room dimensions, or inspiration with Curtis, and from there a workshop consultation is typically arranged at the San Rafael studio. During that visit you can compare actual wood slabs, examine edge profiles, and discuss epoxy color and movement options in person. Once the design direction is confirmed, Curtis handles fabrication, including coordination with local metal fabricators for custom bases when needed. The finished piece is then delivered through white-glove delivery and assembly, priced by destination.
  • Does Spencer Mason Designs serve clients outside of San Rafael?

    Yes. While the workshop is based in San Rafael, Spencer Mason Designs serves clients throughout Marin County, including Mill Valley, Tiburon, Sausalito, Ross, Belvedere, Kentfield, Larkspur, Corte Madera, San Anselmo, and Novato. Service also extends to San Francisco, the Napa and Sonoma wine country, and East Bay communities such as Walnut Creek, Danville, Orinda, Lafayette, Piedmont, and Berkeley. White-glove delivery and assembly is available to all service areas, with pricing based on destination.
  • Does Curtis build chairs to pair with a custom dining table?

    Curtis does not manufacture chairs. His craft is focused entirely on woodworking and epoxy furniture. That said, he provides professional sourcing assistance and recommendations to help you find seating that complements the aesthetic of your custom table. Chair sourcing is treated as part of the overall dining table experience rather than an afterthought, with the goal of a cohesive finished room.
  • What should I know about handmade furniture care for a wood and epoxy piece?

    Handmade furniture care for a wood and epoxy piece is straightforward when you follow the guidance provided with each commission. Spencer Mason Designs supplies care instructions along with cleaning kits and preferred cleaner supplies so you have everything needed to maintain the finish over time. The combination of highly figured walnut and high-grade epoxy resin is built for everyday use, and with proper care these pieces are designed to last for generations.
  • How long does it take to complete a custom furniture order?

    The timeline for a custom commission is approximately one month to ten weeks. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the design, the specific slab selected, the epoxy treatment involved, and whether a custom-fabricated metal base is required. Curtis works with a select number of clients at a time, which allows each project the attention it deserves rather than rushing production. If you have a specific date in mind, it is worth raising that early in the consultation so expectations can be set clearly.
  • Can furniture be built to fit an unusual room size or a narrow entryway?

    Fitting unusual spaces is one of the primary reasons clients choose a custom commission over catalog furniture. Whether you have a narrowly proportioned hallway, an awkward dining room layout, or an entryway that standard furniture simply does not suit, the custom process allows every dimension to be set specifically for your space. Console tables, benches, and dining tables are all available in custom sizes. The workshop consultation is particularly useful for these situations, since you can discuss exact measurements and see how different slab widths and base configurations might work for your room.

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