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The idea of dreaming up a unique piece of furniture, and it becoming reality may be closer to home than one might think. Tim Davis of Tipton, owner of Four Ten Studios, makes brilliant pieces of table furniture designed to last and be passed down for generations.
“Furniture, it can be very vanity,” said Davis. “You don’t have to have a fancy dining table, but if you think about the longevity of a table, if it’s well-built, if it’s going to stay around and go family to family, just think of the conversations, the meals, the tears that will be shared around that table.”
The heartfelt sentiment expressed by the talented carpenter is derived from a place of faith. In fact, the very name of Davis’s business comes from scripture in the Bible, 1 Peter 4:10 -- “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Davis gave words of inspiration for someone who may question making their abilities known publicly, “whether its painting, photography, or coaching, you’re using what you’ve been given to give back to people’s lives,” he said.
Davis has been artistically gifted for most of his life. As an artist, woodworking is not the start or the end to his artistic ability. All through Davis’s home are canvas paintings hanging on his walls; magnificent works of art that are to be marveled.
In terms of woodworking, Davis did not begin as an expert. It took a tremendous amount of growth and development to get to where he is today.
“I don’t like saying that I can’t do something,” said Davis. “It’s just being stubborn, for the furniture specifically. I was always attracted to furniture. We [he and his wife, Courtney] had champagne taste and beer money. So, when we saw furniture that we really liked, we just couldn’t afford it. I was really driven that I’m going to figure out how to do that.”
And he certainly did. Tim started building furniture out of pine and construction lumber, using two by four lumber from Lowe's that was inexpensive while he just tried to figure it out; seeing what worked and what didn't.
Davis shared, “Building tables, it's just like painting. I mean, first is acrylic. Then you go to spray paint, and then you mess with oil, and next thing you know your painting has every medium you can imagine because it's just the development process.”
Davis understands that his work isn’t for everyone. “I try to be as competitive as possible, but the most important thing is using quality products,” he said.
The importance for Davis to use Indiana hardwood makes every piece he makes for Indiana residents that much more meaningful.
“I’m not going out of state to get slabs,” said Davis “I try to find stuff that all has been harvested in our neck of the woods. Dimensionally, I get lumber from here in Kokomo.”
Davis, a graduate of Kokomo High school in 2003, loves the connection that is established through his pieces.
“The customers that I’m going back and forth doing projects for, you build that rapport,” he said. “They come up with a crazy idea. You make it. You rekindle a connection. It’s just a lot of fun, seeing their faces. I think that’s why I do a lot of what I do, is to see the reaction and the joy.”
Davis sees the value of his work and the legacy being established. His young son, Jackson, has been watching his dad and starting to get excited about projects.
Davis stated, “Maybe it’s something that we can do together as we get older, and he learns the beauty of making something on his own.”
Davis’s passion shined through when talking about his pieces. He wants to help bring perspective in a culture that appears to be okay with just throwing things away.
“I feel like we’re in this throw away culture,” he said. “You can buy a table for $500-$600, or you can spend a little bit more money and buy a table that you’re going to be able to give your kids. Buy a table that you’re going to be able to pass down.”
The furniture Davis makes is much more than meets the eye. It’s much more about relationship, making something that he or the client came up with and watching it come to life.
“Where I fit in is, if you have a unique space, a certain size or just a particular style that you just can’t find, the value in getting custom furniture is making something exactly what you want. And if you have any problems with it, here I am. I’ll come and fix it,” Davis said.