When Blake Loree begins a new woodworking project, he thinks in terms of generations. Blake specializes in crafting Windsor chairs, known for their simple aesthetics and ergonomic comfort.
He wants his chairs to be enjoyed by families and passed down to the next generation, in the same way that the art of hand-crafting wood furniture was passed from his grandfather to him and he is passing down to his son in their shop at Homestead Heritage.
If you’ve dined at Café Homestead recently, you may have already experienced one of Blake’s chairs. When fire destroyed the Café just two days before Christmas in 2022, Blake and others crafted 140 new Windsor chairs for the restaurant, helping bring the new Cafe Homestead to life as a fully furnished space within a remarkable 18 weeks.
Blake’s love for working with wood and hand tools began in his grandfather’s workshop as a child.
His woodworking skills were honed through the educational programs at Homestead Heritage, where he also learned blacksmithing and leatherwork. But woodworking was where he invested his heart and passion, progressing from apprentice to journeyman to master craftsman. Now, he teaches visitors the lost skills of hand-tool woodworking.
