Customer Comments

Richard,

Received the new finials. I am completely impressed. The tall finial struck me as one which would be very difficult to copy as I assumed it was probably mass produced by replicating machines of the day. Yours are even more refined at the transitions. The short "urn" is much improved by a very refined finish of the top. Comparing the original, I see that the tip was just truncated and not truly finished. Your work is a real upgrade and well beyond the fantasy expectation I had for my own projected foray into turning.

We thank you and hope this wasn't a frustration in the midst of your more substantial achievements.

Gordon Preecs, MD

Richard,

I received the order today. The balusters look beautiful. At the beginning, I removed the sample baluster, then made my count and came up with nine pieces. I know the sample measures 27-1/2" and there was nothing on the list at that exact length, but I erred slightly on the high side for lengths. As you mentioned, the 10th baluster will be the template in case others are needed.

You did a masterful job, I would not hesitate to order from you again.

Thanks, Paul.

Dear Richard,

To the A Team of #247 Saint Ronan Street Restoration�

This Thanksgiving I am especially grateful to each and all of you for your contributions to the restoration of our home and furnishings. Charlie and I continue to be overjoyed to back and living now in such a beautifully and lovingly restored home, made all the more sacred to us for the skill and artistry that each of you have added to it.

A few weeks ago a former resident of #247, Gladys Minear came to visit with her daughter, Anita. Gladys and her husband, Paul, lived here from the mid-fifties to the mid-seventies. Paul taught at Yale Divinity School, so like me, loved the �commute� up the hill. He died a few years ago at the age of 101. Gladys is now 103 and incredibly sharp and engaging (she is still a very active member of a women�s book group and continues to edit books, mostly recently one by her granddaughter). While Gladys did not make it to the second and third floors, she was thrilled with our renovations and especially in awe of the front hall (as everybody is who comes into the house) and loved having tea in our new kitchen.

We feel incredibly blessed by each of you and on the occasion of Thanksgiving want to thank you again for your work in helping to make us �whole� again. Please share our gratitude with others�

Gratefully,

Allie and Charlie

A scenic drive upstate to pick up our custom posts from New England Woodtuners in Andover, CT, allowed us to meet Owner and Master Woodturner, Richard Swartwout (above).  Richard has been spinning wood since 1976 and it was such a pleasure to meet with him and to see his operation in person.  Just one glimpse of the many hundreds of different types and styles of finished turned products displayed throughout his facility really got our heads turning!

We reached out to Rich to create the custom turned posts on the front porch of our restoration project at 165 Barnum Avenue.  Rich made easy work of creating these three 10 footers and one 14 foot turned posts.  The finished product is just beautiful and we can't wait to see them installed on our finished house. 

Camelot Development
Bridgeport, CT

Richard:
Attached are some picture of the newels you made for us. The lighting is not the best, sorry... We had some professional photos done but haven't received them back yet. You can enjoy these in the meantime!  Nice job!

Brian P.
Kalamazoo, MI

Richard:
Thanks so much.
I have received the posts and am very happy with the results. You will be on the top of my list the next time I need some woodturnings.
Thanks again,
K.W.
Ronkonkoma, NY

You copied some balusters for us this past year for our staircase that we restored and I wanted to send a couple pictures of it to you � sorry it has taken so long. The house is almost complete and the staircase is beautiful.
Thank you,
Jean B.

Hello Richard,
Here is a couple of pictures of our house with your posts. They came out nice, we get a lot of compliments on them.
Thanks,
Kurt S.

Hi Richard:
OK, SNEAK PEAK only....I'll send you some good "Glamour" photos soon! The stairs came out just breathtaking! Everyone involved outdid themselves. Even the carpenter thought this was the most beautiful set of stairs he has installed - and he has installed hundreds of staircases.

We all can't thank you enough. The owners are tickled pink! It was an absolute pleasure doing business with you! You are indeed quite talented in your field. Don't call yourself a "woodturner" - call yourself an "ARTIST!"
Sanda Curro
Stephen Construction cCo.
Belmont, Ma