ABOUT RANDALL ALAN WOODWORKING
My journey into woodworking began long before I ever stepped into a shop.
As a child, I was surrounded by beautifully crafted furniture—pieces my parents carefully selected, often in the classic colonial style of Ethan Allen, with elegant Queen Anne cabriole legs. For reasons I didn’t yet understand, I was fascinated by them. I found myself wondering how they were made, how something so solid could also feel so refined and alive.
At thirteen, that curiosity turned into something more.
My grandmother owned two antique end tables, intricately made with rosewood, walnut, and maple string inlays. She offered me $100—a small fortune at the time—if I could refinish them. I took on the challenge, and in the process, discovered something that would shape the rest of my life: a deep connection to working with wood.
From that point on, I was hooked.
Years later, in the 1990s, a single moment would elevate that passion into purpose. While visiting the Los Angeles County Fair, I stepped into the Millard Sheets building, where a woodworking exhibition was being held. That’s where I first encountered a rocking chair by Sam Maloof, crafted in fiddleback maple.
I had never seen anything like it.
The sculptural form, the fluid lines, the way it seemed to move even while standing still—it left a lasting impression. I knew immediately that I wanted one, though it was far beyond what I could afford at the time.
Determined, I did something bold. I called directory assistance, found Sam Maloof listed, and reached out. His wife, Alfreda, answered, and after a brief conversation, she handed the phone to Sam himself. We spoke for a while, and when I asked about the cost of one of his chairs, I realized it was out of reach.
Sensing my disappointment, Sam said something I’ll never forget:
“Randy, you seem like an awfully nice fellow. Why don’t you come by my shop—we’ll make copies of the templates, and you can build your own.”
I couldn’t have known it at the time, but that moment changed the course of my life.
A PASSION FOR CRAFTSMANSHIP
Woodworking, for me, has never been just about building furniture—it’s about creating something meaningful. When you truly care about what you’re making, it shows in every detail.
Each piece I create is shaped with intention, patience, and respect for the material. The pursuit of perfection often means taking more time, but heirloom-quality furniture always does. These are not pieces made to fill a space—they are made to live in it, to be used, appreciated, and passed down.
-Randall Allen
The goal is simple…
to create furniture that stands apart from the ordinary. Pieces that reflect true craftsmanship and are built to last for generations.
Rocking chairs
Low-back chairs
Dining chairs (with and without arms)
Dining tables
Coffee tables (large and small)
Pedestal tables
Dressers & nightstands
Music stands
Sideboards
Queen Anne lowboys
Hope chests
Custom cabinetry (kitchens, bathrooms, and closets)
