Healthy Home: A Conversation with George Sawyer of Sawyer Made

WLLW spoke to George Sawyer, a second generation chair maker who learned his craft from his father. An advocate for sustainable woodworking techniques and preserving the rich heritage of joinery, Sawyer produces beautiful heirloom pieces using traditional tools and with a deep respect for the wood.

During our conversation he shared with us his pleasures of home, and how the objects we cherish can help us feel rooted and offer a sense of belonging.

What does a healthy home mean to you?

A home built with natural materials, that doesn’t smell of cleaners or off-gassing. A home where you can open the windows and doors and let in fresh air. A home that feels comforting and smells like good food. 

What is your most coveted item that you use day in and day out?

My favorite items and handmade pieces from friends and local artists. My favorite mug is made by the potter that I worked for in high school and our daily cooking spoons are hand-carved made by family and friends. It feels really special to have pieces from people that we care about in our hands everyday.

What has traveled with you from home to home?

When I was moving around after college (Rhode Island, New Hampshire, North Carolina and California), I always brought the first chair that I ever built with me – a balloon back. Having that chair with me always felt like I’d brought a piece of home.

Is there an item that has been passed down from generation to generation?

I have a thumb back that was one of the first chairs that my dad built in the 1970s that I use as my desk chair. It will certainly be passed down to our children.

Can you share a particular space or item in your home that significantly contributes to your wellbeing?

I love being in my shop in the evenings – we renovated a late 1800s barn across the road from our home, and I love being able to walk there after putting the kids to bed and having a quiet place to work and think. I love knowing that this barn space has been given new life and it’s part of our village’s working landscape.  

What is your morning routine, and how does the design of your home support it?

My morning routine is often hectic with young kids and early wake-ups, but one thing that I really enjoy is the winter ritual of starting the wood fire in the morning. We use wood heat, and the sounds and smells are really comforting.  

Photography: Sawyer Made