George Nakashima Woodworkers

i live like 20 minutes away from here and i was shocked when i heard namjoon was there and bought a table. MY FREAKIN IDOL WAS 20 MINS AWAY FROM ME JDJDJDKDK

I gave this a 4 Star because I have not been there, but loved what was shown! I first saw his wife on the CREATE Channel giving tours of their property. I was fascinated with their home, types of work he his wife did and she continues to do! Too long to go into details. But I plan to register for one of those tours offered and bring along my friends who also loves these type of Wood works! I hope to purchase a piece or two for My home! When we do visit, I know a 5 Star will be well deserved!

Mr Nakashima made an altar for our church in Philadelphia. Beautiful hand crafted from a tree over 100 years old. It was such a pleasure to visit his studio and attend Mass at his Parish.

I've visited twice. The Guided tour is worth taking. You must RSVP. About six done a year. Come to appreciate the work and legacy that continues in the family. The grounds are serene and to be respected. You'll love it.

Whether you are a fan of woodworking, architecture, Japanese culture or art of all kinds, a tour of the Nakashima compound is sure to satisfy. The tour, recently taken over by young and knowledgeable Hugo Nakashima-Brown, (a master artist in his own right) is a relaxing and informative walk through a variety of workshops, gallery spaces and living quarters. Nakashima’s architecture doesn’t encroach upon the beautiful landscape but instead is integrated into it. Very often the view from a window in many of the structures (which open wide without a screen of any kind) takes on the aspect of a framed painting without a boundary between you and nature. I’m sure this was intentional. But the real star of the show is the furniture. On this tour you get a look deep into the process of creating a Nakashima masterpiece from beginning to end, including half finished pieces and a massive barn housing an amazing collection of wood from around the world just waiting to be made into the artful furniture for which the Nakashima workshop is famous. It must be seen to be believed. Along the way we got many insights into the history of the Nakashima family in America, including the hardships they faced during the shameful period of Japanese internment and the struggles of the family to survive and flourish, building up this compound from a simple tent and a single workshop to the harmonious yet unique collection of structures that exist today. Highly recommend.

Nakashima's wood art wondered me, what he did is high quality woodwork.

We had a fabulous tour! It was a pleasure to see the active woodworking studios and the more intimate living spaces. Highly recommend!

Peaceful, stunning, relaxing, wonderful!

Entering the property is such a thrill. I feel like I am in Yamanashi Japan! A beautiful property with the most extraordinary buildings built by famed woodworker and architect George Nakashima. This is one of the gems of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. We got to see all 3 wonderful ponds , gorgeous trees, and all these glorious buildings that house & help run this family woodworking business. You really have the opportunity to See the wood and all its various forms before during and after the finished product. Amazing tables and chairs! And we were welcome to sit on some . I was sitting very comfortably on something so stunningly beautifully crafted. So elegant yet so sturdy. It's lovely to see the camaraderie of everyone and the joy they have discussing the family business, all the skilled workers past & present, see the different architectural styles and design of each building. So many delightful stories about their history. I was surprised to learn that George Nakashima did not invent the butterfly. It's a precious tradition. And I love that the new generations are treasuring this craft. I'm happy to see the long cuts of wood from Persia stacked together and hear the popularity of Walnut, how too many fallen walnuts put acid in the soil and not much else likes to grow around such a tree , I enjoyed seeing the Japanese maples planted forever in the soil outside of all these splendid buildings, hear stories of the cranes versus the Koi fish, the kind of pool parties they enjoy in the summertime, the tea party they had in the tea room, and then it takes nearly 5 hours to fill the tiled bathtub with water! They are so welcoming that you feel like you are extended family . I really enjoyed my time here.

Located in New Hope, PA, the George Nakashima Woodworker Complex is a National Historic Site of the National Park Service. It is the final home and workshop for the amazing woodwork designs and creative energies of Mr. Nakashima who was world renowned for his appreciation of trees and of giving them a second life through timeless natural constructed furniture. His 12 acre compound on Aquetong Road consists of 21 shops, studios, galleries and warehousing of wood collected around the world and stored there until he or his family and craftsmen discovered the beauty within the rough hewn tree trunks and create one of a kind masterpieces that would last forever. His daughter Mira now runs the enterprise and remains actively engaged in its operation. Born in Washington State in 1905, George received a worldwide education including stops in Paris, Spokane, Cambridge, MA, New York, North Africa, Japan and India. He was instrumental in developing the International Style architecture in the 1920s and 30s. He painted the murals on the New York Capitol Building and designed/constructed the ashram of Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry, India. His exploration of Japanese culture and design philosophy led him to furniture design and craftsmanship which would become the focus of his life's work. During World War II he was forced to live in a relocation camp in Idaho until released by petition to the government by the Dean of MIT and a previous employer, Antonin Raymond. This brought him to Bucks County in 1943 to live on Raymond's farm with his family. Three years later he purchased 3 acres of land nearby to build his homestead and workshop. As his family grew (son Kevin), he purchased more land and expanded the complex through the 1970s to the present 12 acres. He infused aspects of traditional Japanese architecture with the simpler International Style, that was heavily influenced at that time by utopian Frank Lloyd Wright. The buildings are smoothly integrated with the natural elements of the land - hills and vales; streams and flora. A visit to this national treasure brings you into intimate contact with his work and ideas. A walk around leaves you feeling like George is at your side. His daughter Mira still lives and works in the same place and space as her father. Meeting her was one of the magical moments of my life. "Kodama" (Spirit of a Tree) A feeling of special kinship with the heart of the tree. ~ George Nakashima "The wood is our muse and our palette; its shapes and colors speak to those who listen." ~ Mira Nakashima

George Nakashima is amazingly talented. George Nakashima is also dead and has been for a long time. You will, unfortunately, not be getting him to work on any of your wood anytime soon.

Since George Nakashima's death in 1990, his two children Mira and Kevin have continued to design and create beautiful furniture at their New Hope property. They have also been joined by the next generation with the addition of Mira's son Ru. They have an open house almost every Saturday afternoon at their workshop and design studio in New Hope. For more information, visit their website: http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com//