Dust Furniture

"The act of creation is a profoundly satisfying experience.  Taking an abstract idea, giving it form, refining proportions, placing lines, integrating functionality, and giving this spark of imagination a real, physical presence is a process that gives me great joy."

Vincent  Leman can hardly remember a time when he wasn't building furniture. He grew up working in the shop building fine quality custom cabinetry and woodwork for the family business. After completing his degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University, Vincent made the decision to return to furniture building after realizing a strong aversion to cubicles and deskwork. He spent the next several years developing a very distinct, quirky style which could be described as a revolt against straight lines and the expected. During this time he built one-of-a-kind art pieces ranging from cabinets, bookcases, mirrors, to beds and anything that entered his mind to build. Maintaining that art can be both beautiful and functional, Vincent combined his knowledge as a fine woodworker and his engineering skills to create gravity bending furniture with personality, while leaving function fully intact.

After receiving many commissions based on already existing pieces, Vincent began thinking about creating a company to build reproducible designs. In the spring of 2005, he and his girlfriend, Jessie, launched Dust Furniture, with the idea that stamping the company's name onto each piece might inspire the owner to keep it tidy... like a reminder to 'dust furniture'... Vincent and Jessie are now married and Dust is growing steadily along. The company--like the artist--is committed to great design, beautiful colors, high quality construction, tough but environmentally friendly finishes, and of course, functionality.

environmental stewardship

The process of building furniture necessarily requires wood & paint & packaging. Everyone at Dust works very hard to handle these necessities responsibly.

Domestic birch is the wood used for construction, both solid trim and panel veneer. This wood is preferred due to its North American sources rather than threatened rainforests. The panels used contain sustainable wood fiber cores with very low formaldehyde emissions, currently meeting the CARB Ph.I requirements (looking forward to Ph.II implementation!). The previously mentioned CNC router also enables us to conserve wood by nesting small parts into sections of wood that would have been wasted otherwise.

All of our paints are water-based & environmentally friendly. These paints do not require solvents to use nor does it require solvents to clean the equipment. This is fantastic for both our employees & the environment! Dust is especially proud of the clear coat used to protect the furniture. This water based, industrial grade clearcoat is water resistant, durable and still meets the following standards: EPA 40 CFR (Parts 9, 59 & 63), SCAQMD (Rule 1136) & USGBC LEED (EQ Credit 4.2).

Dust uses all recyclable and/or biodegradable packaging. Shipping cartons are made from recyclable cardboard. Pieces are wrapped in recyclable plastic wrap & shelves are wrapped in recyclable foam. Furniture is cushioned with special recyclable bags filled with biodegradable packing peanuts. The worst use of resources would be to use the wood, paint & packing only to have a piece damaged in shipment; consequently,  we pack very carefully and have very few instances of damage each year (making you, the environment, the shipping company & Dust happy!).

Click here to see available pieces of Dust furniture.