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more about the details and construction of this furniture than
anyone. Describing the techniques of Peter and John Hall, the
craftsmen who built the originals, Ipekjian says, "The Halls
didn’t do anything the quick and easy way, but I think they
were having fun, seeing what they could do."
Ipekjian’s skill and attention to detail have brought him to
a place that most woodworkers only dream about. He works
in a pleasant space, at a comfortable pace, recreating some of
the fi nest furniture ever made. His reputation keeps him busy.
"If everything I have talked with people about comes through,
I’ll be busy for the next three or four years. I’m comfortable,
but still I can’t keep from worrying about what I’ll do after
that," he says.
Unfortunately for the rest of us, Ipekjian doesn’t have any
plans at this point to teach or write about his work, "I’m too
busy really doing the work. I work a lot of hours because
it’s fun, and I love what I do." Pointing to a stack of lumber
leaning on the wall next to some shelves he says, "You might
be interested in that wood and those tools; they belonged to
Charles Greene." The tools were worn from use but well cared
for, and the lumber was marked with Greene’s name and ad-
dress from many years ago.
The tools and lumber were freely given to Ipekjian. He also
has a sense of gratitude for where he is today. "I can’t explain
it, or possibly tell someone else how to get here, I’m fortunate
to be where I am."
When studying old furniture and its makers, I often wonder
what it was like at the time. Why did they do things a certain
way? What were the reasons for doing this, and how was it
done? James Ipekjian has spent nearly 30 years asking those
questions – and discovering many of the answers – about the
furniture of Greene and Greene. He remains curious and eager
to fi nd the answers to the questions he still has, and in the
meantime, he has another table leg to carve.
The Blacker house furniture reproductions, and several other Greene and Greene pieces, feature inlays of precious metals, mother of pearl, semi-precious
s t on e s an d c ar v e d w o o d. Jam e s I p e k jian’s w or k in c lu d e s hig hl y d et aile d r e p r o d u c t ion s of t h e s e in c r e d ib le je w e lr y - like inlay s.1 148-153_Greene&GreeneStyle.indd 153 48 - 153 _Greene&GreeneStyle.indd 153 3 3/25/13 9:55 AM/ 25 / 13 9 : 55 AM