Our People

Meet Our People

Tom Dumke

While working at the job shop, he met and married his wife Linda. Within the first year, they purchased a distressed older home. For the next five years they refurbished it room by room. The master bedroom was finished and Linda had her eye on a bedroom furniture set. They went to the local store to purchase the furniture, when Tom said to himself and out loud, “I can make this."

Tom credits the company’s success to his partnership with Linda, and throughout their marriage the two have continued to pursue their love for furniture. During the early years of their marriage, Tom and Linda supplemented their income by doing side jobs for friends and family. Tom distributes his furniture now through art shows, interior designers, internet and commissions. A little bit bigger of a customer list than just family and friends.

Tom spent 25 years of his career as a CNC machinist. During this time, he developed and self taught his skills as a fine craftsman of furniture. He ran across a magazine, Fine Woodworking and purchased a subscription. "That’s when I began to closely examine pieces and really think about the designs and intentions of 19th century craftsmen," muses Tom. In 1996, Tom turned his woodworking hobby into a career as Thomas William Furniture breathed life.

In 2003, Tom quit his day job. It became apparent that their chances of success was enhanced if he focused mainly on the creative aspect while Linda assisted and managed the business. Tom has since exhibited throughout the United States, received numerous awards, completed several commissions and his pieces are widely collected. What began as an intense exploration of craftsmanship— an experiment —has evolved into a business and has residential, professional and academic customers.