Craftsmanship comes in-house for local fine furniture
By Heather Shoning
IN A HOME-FURNISHINGS market increasingly dominated by mass production, quick delivery, and disposable pieces, Modern Bungalow Furniture and Design is making a case for something different: furniture built to last for decades.
Craftsmanship has been central to the Denver retailer since its beginnings, particularly through its relationships with American and Amish furniture makers. When co-owners Danielle Sandusky and Matt Sandusky took over the business nine years ago, they inherited a store closely associated with the Arts and Crafts movement—and a philosophy they believed remained relevant even as interiors became more contemporary.
“The soul of our shop lies with the Arts and Crafts movement and its ethos of craftsmanship and simplicity,” says Danielle Sandusky, Modern Bungalow co-owner and president. “Our customers still respond to honest materials, craftsmanship, simplicity, and longevity, though they don’t necessarily want to recreate a period Arts and Crafts interior.”
That distinction has helped Modern Bungalow evolve beyond the traditional Craftsman and Mission styles for which it has long been known. Today, the showroom incorporates Prairie, Amsterdam School, mid-century, farmhouse, and contemporary influences while maintaining an emphasis on solid wood, thoughtful construction, and enduring design.
That philosophy is increasingly shaping furniture designed by Modern Bungalow itself. The company recently added an in-house furniture development expert and introduced its first proprietary pieces, including coffee and wine bars designed in response to how customers use their homes. The designs combine storage and function with the ability to customize details such as wood species, finish, and configuration.
The process is decidedly different from designing a piece and sending specifications to a distant factory. Modern Bungalow’s furniture often develops through collaboration with the craftspeople who will actually build it.
“Our customers’ journey begins with a conversation between designer and builder about joinery, wood movement, construction, proportion, finish, and so much more,” Sandusky says. “Then we bring the project to the craftsman we know can make it.”
Those longstanding relationships also allow customers to customize furniture to fit their homes rather than compromise with whatever happens to be available. And while handcrafted American furniture may sound synonymous with a luxury price tag, Sandusky says the economics have shifted. As overseas import costs and supply chains have grown more complicated, domestically made solid-hardwood furniture can compete with national brands—while offering far more choice and longevity.
Ultimately, Modern Bungalow’s evolving aesthetic is less about following a particular style than choosing pieces with staying power. The goal isn’t a perfectly matched room, either. It’s a home that can accommodate new furniture alongside pieces collected over time, including family heirlooms and objects with personal meaning.
“For rugs and furniture alike, we like creating pieces that fit in today’s home,” Sandusky says, “but have a timeless style and enduring quality that will last for generations.”
MODERN BUNGALOW
FURNITURE AND DESIGN
1028 S. Gaylord St.
Denver
303-300.3332
modernbungalow.com
