Our People

Thomas William Furniture is, at its heart, a partnership.

We are Tom Dumke and Linda Dumke, husband and wife, and the people behind Thomas William Furniture. Together, we bring craft and care to every piece that leaves the studio—Tom as the maker and designer, and Linda as the steward of the business and the relationships that sustain it.

Tom Dumke — Designer & Maker

Tom grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he learned a strong work ethic from his father and developed an early curiosity about how things are made. From a young age, he was drawn to tools, construction, and the quiet precision required to do things well.

That attention to detail carried into Tom’s years as a competitive gymnast, where precision and discipline were essential. In 1978, he competed in the Wisconsin State Gymnastics competition—an experience that reinforced his respect for careful preparation and exact execution.

Tom later studied architecture at Miami Dade College in Coral Gables, Florida, before returning to Milwaukee to work in a small specialty machine shop alongside his brother. It was during these years in machining that Tom’s understanding of precision, tolerances, and structure deepened—skills that would later become foundational to his furniture making.

Tom spent 25 years as a CNC machinist, developing an exceptional eye for accuracy and repeatability. At the same time, he grew increasingly dissatisfied with the quality of furniture available in stores. After purchasing a distressed home and restoring it room by room, a turning point came when Tom examined a bedroom set in a furniture store and quietly said, “I can make this. I can make it better.”

That moment sparked a deeper pursuit.

Through years of study—fine woodworking publications, historical furniture plans, and careful examination of 19th-century American craftsmanship—Tom began to understand not just how furniture was made, but why it was designed the way it was. In 1996, what began as a passion officially became a profession, and Thomas William Furniture opened its doors.

In 2003, Tom left the machinist industry to devote himself fully to his true calling: designing and building fine furniture by hand.

Linda Dumke — Business & Client Relations

Linda is the steady force behind the scenes, managing the many details that allow the studio to thrive. From marketing and bookkeeping to customer communication, scheduling, taxes, and logistics, Linda ensures that the work Tom creates is supported, represented, and delivered with care.

From the beginning, Thomas William Furniture has been a shared endeavor. Early on, Tom and Linda built furniture for friends and family, slowly growing the business through word of mouth, art shows, and commissions. Together, they expanded the company into a national presence, exhibiting at fine art and fine craft shows across the United States, working with interior designers, and serving collectors, professionals, and institutions.

A Shared Journey

Today, Tom’s furniture is widely collected, award-winning, and known for its integrity, craftsmanship, and timeless design. What began as an experiment rooted in curiosity and precision has grown into a life’s work—one shaped by partnership, perseverance, and a deep respect for the craft.

Every piece that leaves the shop carries this story within it: of careful hands, thoughtful design, and a shared commitment to doing things well.

We invite you to become part of that story.

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