Three people standing in a woodworking or workshop studio, smiling at the camera. The man on the left has dark curly hair and a beard, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. The man in the middle has a beard, wearing a backward cap, a dark T-shirt, and dark jeans. The woman on the right has long wavy hair, wearing a black long-sleeve top and black jeans. The background shows shelves with tools and equipment.

Photo by Frazier Springfield

Studio

Austen / Morris is a design and build studio based in Washington, DC, creating high-quality hardwood furniture finished with natural oils. Each piece is designed and crafted by hand in our Mt. Rainier workshop, combining traditional and modern techniques to create a new kind of timeless furniture. We use premium, sustainably sourced lumber, often harvested locally from the mid-Atlantic region.

Philosophy

Our work starts with honest materials and thoughtful design. Each piece is built from solid hardwood and finished with natural oils and waxes — never stains, plastics, or synthetic coatings.

These finishes are safe for people and the environment, easy to maintain, and age beautifully with use. The result is furniture made to last for generations, developing character and depth over time.

  • Dennis Turbeville

    Founder and principal designer. After a 15-year career in branding and design, Dennis started Austen / Morris to pursue his lifelong interest in furniture making. His approach blends the precision of design with the intuition of craft — creating furniture that feels grounded, functional, and personal. The studio is named after his two children, whose middle names are Austen and Morris.

    Vanessa Clement

    Designer and craftswoman. Vanessa holds a BFA in Product Design from Parsons School of Design and brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to every project — from early sketches to final installation. Her eye for proportion and her commitment to detail are central to the studio’s work.

    Matt Similuk

    Maker and fabricator. Matt is one of those rare people who was born to work with his hands. Driven by curiosity and care, he approaches every project as an opportunity to learn, refine, and push the work further. His dedication to process and precision helps define the standard of craftsmanship that runs through the studio.

  • We believe in being part of something larger than our own work. Our studio hosts Wood Church, a bi-monthly gathering for woodworkers, designers, and enthusiasts to share knowledge, ideas, and community. It’s a space for learning, collaboration, and connection — open to anyone who values the craft. Learn More

Press

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    “…We also have profiles of talented designer-makers Dennis Turbeville of Austen Morris Custom Furniture; Morten Stenbaek; Gildas Berthelot; Nick Pedullá; and Julien Hardy.”

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    “In this episode, we sit down with Dennis, founder of Austen Morris Furniture, to discuss the journey of building a brand that represents high-quality, custom furniture. Dennis shares his philosophy on building strong, lasting relationships with designers, maintaining top-tier quality, and the intentional approach behind Austen Morris's unique, luxury pieces.”

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    “Dennis returned to his childhood passion of building, bringing with him his grown up passion for the world of design. Combining both into the well groomed furniture company, Austen / Morris, we see today.”

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    “Meet a carpenter whose thoughtfulness in design reaches down to the very trees he selects to use. Find out his creative process and why he took the plunge, going from a career in advertising to a woodworker.”

    – Jeff Swicord, Reporter/Camera/Editor

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    “This year, Dennis Turbeville, a woodworker in Washington, used the mobile payment service Venmo to sell his wares, collect payments on a rental property and split personal expenses with family and friends.

    He carefully tracks income for his business, Austen Morris Custom Furniture, with QuickBooks software and works with an accountant to make sure everything he owes to the federal government is paid correctly.

    But Mr. Turbeville is concerned that a recent tax change intended to crack down on tax evasion by small businesses and those operating in the “gig” economy will mean more paperwork and headaches from the Internal Revenue Service. He is hopeful that if there are any unintended discrepancies, his business will be too small to attract an audit.”

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    “We’re thrilled to have Dennis Turbeville, a furniture maker, of Austen / Morris join us. He shares all about his transition from marketing to woodworking and the physical, financial and emotional challenges that come with building a business.”