A friend's parents owned an antique shop in Kennett Square, Pa., called Pitts Primitives. Fascinated by the Pitts' antique furniture, David began reproducing some of the pieces out of old wood.

Now a member of the Pennsylvania Craft Guild, J. David Chandler has refined those early techniques, combining modern glue joints and techniques with antique lumber to produce unique furniture in his shop west of Millsboro, Del.

"I use basic tools," said David. "It's not Norm Abrams from the Old Yankee Workshop."

Over time, David's passion has grown to include barn beams, mantels, hardwood floors, and commercial designs for lawyers, doctors and well-known restaurants such as the Blue Fish and Toscano's in Wilmington, Del.

David has also been the subject of numerous newspaper articles.

David invites anyone with an idea for a custom piece to stop by with a photograph or design. He'll also beat the price of any competitor if you bring in a legitimate written estimate of an apples to apples project.