Inspired to create what we could not find, Workshop-25 was born to create approachable, sustainable design. We transform responsibly sourced materials into classic pieces offered at fair prices, and we build everything by hand right here in our Chicago workshop. We use reclaimed, upcycled, and local materials whenever possible because it's the right thing to do. And it looks amazing.

These scuffs, scrapes, and burns you see on W-25 furniture add unmatched character to our pieces, but they also help us keep costs down. By celebrating uniqueness and happy accidents, we are able to sell extremely durable furniture that's also affordable. Our workshop starts with a simple desire to create. But we believe in putting in the extra energy to make something more - more unique, more lasting, more sustainable, & more beautiful.

We draw inspiration from the beauty & simplicity of the Midwestern landscape, the eclectic profusion of Chicago architecture, and the forward thinking of the sustainability movement. We try to create furniture that embodies those values, so at Workshop-25 you'll find beautiful, unique furniture pieces that last.

Here's a video that samples an important part of our furniture making - creating steel frames!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the sale?

A: We keep our prices fair year-round, so we don't do "flash sales" or offer "clearance" pricing. We price our furniture fairly. To us, fair means that we make a small profit (5-15%) so we can keep the company in business, and you get a beautiful piece of furniture that is built to last. But fair pricing also means that everyone gets "the deal", so we don't send gimmicky emails offering you "10% off if you buy now". By purchasing with us, you can be sure you're getting the best price any day.  

Q: Do you offer bulk discounts?

A:  Because we keep our prices fair, and only charge what we need to make to keep the company running, we can't offer discounts on multiple items. We may be able to ship or deliver items more affordably by packing them together in some cases. Please contact us for details. 

Q: How is your handmade, custom furniture so affordable?

A: Furniture stores with physical locations often markup their merchandise by 30-40%. By buying direct from the manufacturer (us), you save on that cost. We work hard to source materials that require minimal processing, which allows us to spend less time creating each piece and to price it lower than other builders. If you're looking for a beautiful reclaimed wood piece with unique marks that tell a story, and a sturdy piece of furniture that will hold up, then you're in the right place!  

Q: How should I take care of my reclaimed wood?

A: Our furniture is maintenance free! But, if you want polish the wood, then we recommend using a natural furniture polish such as beeswax or butcher block oil.

A: If needed, the steel can be scrubbed with a dry piece of steel wool without any chemicals on it (do not use SOS pads). If you must, you can clean the steel using soap & water. Be sure to dry thoroughly and treat with some type of oil right after cleaning! If you wish to "blue", blacken, or treat the steel, there are many consumer products for that, but be sure to follow the instructions carefully as most of these are toxic. 

Q: Do you offer expedited shipping?

A: In some cases we may be able to expedite your order and/or the shipping for a fee. It depends on our current workload. Please inquire if you're interested.  

The Story

Aaron Houska and Katherine "Molly" Adamski started Workshop-25 in the spring of 2017, but they were making furniture long before that. Born from one founder’s life-long love of books and another’s passion for design, the first Workshop-25 piece was a reclaimed wood and steel bookcase.

As Aaron's graduate school education meant amassing an ever growing collection of books, Molly began to search for bookcases at reasonable prices. At this point the couple discovered that most furniture fell into one of two categories: extremely pricey, beautiful, and well-made, or low cost, ugly, and expendable. So they decided to make something of their own - a handsome, reasonably priced bookcase that would last a lifetime. Molly went on to study engineering and design in graduate school, providing them with the tools and confidence to take their creations out into the world. They eventually decided to pursue their hobby as a business after family & friends kept trying to buy their bookcases out from under them.

Our passion for traveling takes us all over the world, and our travels inspire us to craft pieces that are beautiful, inclusive, and sustainable. We're inspired by objects and interiors from all over the globe. We hope that when you bring a W-25 piece into your home, it will bring some of that eclectic feeling into your space. Since our pieces simultaneously touch such varied styles as industrial, modern, and rustic, we think they will fit into your home no matter how many times (or where!) you move, or what styles you favor.

 

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