CODY HIGH STYLE {2008}: Santos Furniture
More from Diana Friend for our Cody High Style Series…
Unique furniture and Molesworth Reproductions
Santos Furniture was the last stop on the Cody High Style Studio tour. As the trolley pulled up to the adobe-style studio, Lester greets us warmly. Looking more like a rock star than a wood craftsman, the artists dress in a form-fitting black t-shirt, stonewashed jeans, perfectly coordinated with a classic black belt and boots. He guided us to a tall stand of wood poles that leaned against the building. He explained that he goes out into the mountains to look for the wood he uses in his pieces.
Entering the studio showroom, you immediately go into sensory over-load, as your eyes gaze the neutral palate of tanned leathers, wood cabinets, tables and shelves. Warm colors from Janet Bedford paintings and woven fabric used to upholster the furniture are strategically placed around the room. The loveseat has a ribbon draped on the seat that reads “Western Design Conference – Best in Show 2008.” The leather is handpainted (Janet Bedford’s work) and the cushions are framed in re-claimed wood.
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Lester shares stories of his current favorite projects. He designed a desk for use at the Buffalo Bill Historic Center and the Governor of Wyoming saw it and wanted one, so they are working on it so he can have it for use in his office at the state capitol. He is also creating 32 original-design doors for a new home that is under construction, and each door is hand-carved by master-carver Fly Brado. We see many projects under construction in the workshop. An entertainment center is nearing completion for a client who lives on Lewis and Clark Road. On the door panels, Bedford has painted the portraits of Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea. It is magnificent!
From the Cody High Style catalog:
Lester started his career helping his father build houses in Massachusetts and also apprenticed to a harpsichord maker, learning hand joinery. “The first time I walked through the door of John Nelson’s studio I was hooked.” He moved west to buld guitars for the Bennett Brothers and, then, to Cody, Wyoming, where he worked for Sweetwater Ranch taking apart old Molesworth furniture to document and to build replicas. Lester started his own one-of-a-kind furniture company, Santos Furniture, in 1994.
Santos Furniture specializes in unique high-quality, well-designed art furniture; the designs have appeared in numerous books and magazines, and television shows. Lester bridges and blends many styles to achieve a look that is not overbearing, but contains many elements. Components of Adirondack, Shaker, Molesworth, New Mexican, and Native American styles can all be found in his art.
Here are more photos showing the details that make Lester Santos’ furniture and artwork so special… Click HERE to visit the Santos Furntiure website.
