Heirloom Quality Furniture And Woodworking At The Refined Craftsman
The Refined Craftsman, located in Murrieta, CA, manufactures custom hardwood furniture, cabinetry and casework. Purchasing 100,000 board feet annually in 4/4 Poplar, rift White Oak and Alder, offerings include Shaker entertainment centers, Mission inspired cabinets and Crafts styled tables.
“A lot of our clients are looking for cleaner grain lines and the rift White Oak offers that. It also stains in a variety of colors. White Oak is amazing in its natural finish as well. Many of our customers are going with multi-colored units and they will have the island in White Oak.”
– Dave Span, owner, The Refined Craftsman
Owner Dave Span said, “All of our furniture and casework is custom made and one of a kind, with a unique design and style that is inspired by the customer. We work with them every step of the way, from the initial consultation all the way to the final inspection and installation. We also complete furniture and cabinetry repair, as well as crown and base moulding installation.”
Hardwood History
When asked how the operation began he offered, “I started at furniture manufacturing in 2010 and began taking woodworking and furniture courses at Palomar College of Woodworking and Furniture Technology. I took an apprenticeship and got my millwork and cabinetry license.”
Span said he worked out of his garage until 2018. “I realized the business was growing and we started looking for a bigger place. I ended up buying the same equipment from the company I used to work for. We’ve been in our current location since 2020.”
Murrieta, CA-based The Refined Craftsman specializes in custom made furniture and case work with products including Mission inspired cabinets, Shaker entertainment centers and Crafts styled tables.
Along the way Span also taught furniture manufacturing at the same college he learned from some time after his own graduation. “Palomar College pairs up with The Warrior Village, which provides temporary housing for homeless veterans with PTSD. The cabinet manufacturing class provides the cabinetry for that project. While I was teaching there I ended up doing a cabinet installation there, which was a really great opportunity to give back.”
He continued, “The Warrior Village is an excellent program that supports our veterans and also encourages our younger generations to get into the woodworking industry and other trade-oriented vocations, which this industry desperately needs.”
Empowered Customers
With several years in the woodworking industry, Span said one of the primary goals of his company is to empower each customer with educated purchasing decisions. When asked about the strong points in his operation he said, “The quality of our materials and our customer service is where we focus. We don’t skimp on the materials we use and we take the time to answer every question. Custom woodworking is just that, custom. We work with the customer from every aspect of the design process. The quality, design and functionality of our furniture is the same as what I would want in my own home.”
As for equipment in operation he noted, “We have a CNC machine and we use the LockDowel System with a horizontal boring machine that we use to bore so we don’t use screws for the most part, which is a hidden joinery fastener. It really helps with alignment and makes things more fluid. A lot of our clients are looking for cleaner grain lines and the rift White Oak offers that. It also stains in a variety of colors. White Oak is amazing in its natural finish as well. Many of our customers are going with multi-colored units and they will have the island in White Oak.”
Featuring products crafted from Poplar, rift White Oak and Alder, The Refined Craftsman owner, Dave Span, noted that his staff takes great pride in working with the company’s customers “every step of the way” to complete each project.
Along with cabinetry, The Refined Craftsman also offers many other home furnishings. “Electronics and media components are a big part of life. It is only appropriate that we take good care of them,” Span said. “A custom-built entertainment center fits the customer’s specific needs, space, unique taste and personality. It also protects valuable electronics from dust and debris and provides an elegant display area for pictures and other personal items.
Attention to Detail
“Attention to detail is important in every aspect of our business,” Span continued. “Kitchens and bathrooms are the most utilized rooms in any home. So it is imperative that proper planning and design goes into the construction and layout of these areas of your home. The Refined Craftsman will help you design your dream kitchen or give your current design a makeover. We pay extra attention to maximize your space for efficiency and provide you with details and accents that suit your home and your individual style.”
Often a closet becomes a hodgepodge of clutter and items, some used often, and some tucked away never to be seen again. A custom closet from The Refined Craftsman can help maximize storage capacity and allow massive organization. Span explained, “Every custom closet is different because every person is different. Whether you have full length dresses or suits, an extensive shoe collection, need an extra file drawer for records, or a need for multiple drawers for socks and t-shirts, we will work with you to meet your closet needs. From open shelving to large walk-in or built-in custom systems, we can make your closet into a highly functional, stylish storage system. The new closet will be so efficient that you will spend less time searching for things, but also so stylish that you won’t be in a big hurry to leave.
The Refined Craftsman owner Dave Span said: “The Refined Craftsman will help you design your dream kitchen or give your current design a makeover. We pay extra attention to maximize your space for efficiency and provide you with details and accents that suit your home and your individual style.”
“Have you ever seen a piece of furniture in a store or catalog that you just had to have? Of course the color wouldn’t quite match your decor and the size might not work in your space. The Refined Craftsman will meet those design needs and produce a unique piece that is a replica but specific to your unique needs. Whether it involves building a custom piece from the design in your mind or a picture to repairing a damaged piece of furniture and making it look new, we can produce heirloom quality furniture that will make any room ‘pop’ and give you the satisfaction of the design process every step of the way,” he said.
The Future
As for future growth plans, Span said, “I am open to growing in size a little, but it will be gradual in order to maintain our high quality standards.”
For more information visit www.TheRefinedCraftsman.com.
