Paul DeCarlo
Paul DeCarlo has been a professional woodworker for more than 30 years. Growing up in Sandown New Hampshire, Paul is a 1992 graduate of the Furniture Design Program at the Worcester Center for Crafts in Massachusetts. He went on to attend as an Artist in Residence there in 1994. Moving to Florida in the early 2000’s, he worked as a cabinetmaker prior to having a decade long career at Walt Disney World as a Woodworker, a manager, and as a Fabrication Designer with Walt Disney Imagineering. Paul was also the owner/operator of a custom woodworking business in Central Florida prior to returning to Sandown in 2022. In the fall of 2024, he became a juried member of The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. Paul currently operates in his one-person studio designing and building custom furniture, cabinets, and specialty woodwork on commission and speculation.
Artist Statement
All work is derivative. My work is rooted in the exploration of traditional forms and attempts to move beyond those to find new and diverse ways to interact with our surroundings. My lineage as a maker aligns with the sensibilities of the Studio Craft Movement of the 20th century. I approach the craft with a deep understanding of the nature of the materials and techniques first, and of what moves me visually second. I like curves set against geometric shapes. I choose subtleness over brashness. It’s important to me that the work is in harmony with how we live our lives. I’ve chosen to work primarily with North American woods. Occasionally I work in other species. Ones that are common and plentiful but seldom rare. I’m inspired by the trees that grow all around us and are where we live. They are familiar.
Paul DeCarlo's Work
Paul DeCarlo
Paul DeCarlo has been a professional woodworker for more than 30 years. Growing up in Sandown New Hampshire, Paul is a 1992 graduate of the Furniture Design Program at the Worcester Center for Crafts in Massachusetts. He went on to attend as an Artist in Residence there in 1994. Moving to Florida in the early 2000’s, he worked as a cabinetmaker prior to having a decade long career at Walt Disney World as a Woodworker, a manager, and as a Fabrication Designer with Walt Disney Imagineering. Paul was also the owner/operator of a custom woodworking business in Central Florida prior to returning to Sandown in 2022. In the fall of 2024, he became a juried member of The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. Paul currently operates in his one-person studio designing and building custom furniture, cabinets, and specialty woodwork on commission and speculation.
Artist Statement
All work is derivative. My work is rooted in the exploration of traditional forms and attempts to move beyond those to find new and diverse ways to interact with our surroundings. My lineage as a maker aligns with the sensibilities of the Studio Craft Movement of the 20th century. I approach the craft with a deep understanding of the nature of the materials and techniques first, and of what moves me visually second. I like curves set against geometric shapes. I choose subtleness over brashness. It’s important to me that the work is in harmony with how we live our lives. I’ve chosen to work primarily with North American woods. Occasionally I work in other species. Ones that are common and plentiful but seldom rare. I’m inspired by the trees that grow all around us and are where we live. They are familiar.
