Woodworker: Robert Shapiro

Shapiro’s bench (10 in. deep by 48 in. wide by 19 in. tall) was inspired by the clarity and refinement of Japanese design. Formerly a chef of 28 years, Shapiro is now a professional woodworker who finds similarities between the two careers. As he says, both require “you to put your hands on carefully selected raw materials and turn them into a finished product.” Angled tenons and shoulders attach the legs to the seat and counterbored screws with ebony plugs secure the lower shelf. Shapiro used curly maple for its intense figure. The finish is shellac.