I've had these tiles for several years not knowing what I would do with them. I talked with Joe about this and he immediately had a vision of surrounding them with this beautiful wood frame. The frame is wonderful on its own but has complimented the tiles so that they have taken on a depth and luster. The pieces compliment each other to make an incredible work of art. I love what Joe did.

Ruth Feldman - West Roxbury, Massachusetts

Joe Unni was a student of mine many years ago. When he came to visit for my retirement, I asked what he was doing. Joe told me he was a woodworker. I was so happy to see someone so intense about what they did for a living. I jokingly asked if he could “do anything with these dining room chairs?” The whole set had been given by my dad to my mother in place of an engagement ring. During the depression money was scarce, but my mother wanted the dining set because she could feed her family and carry on traditions. I did not want to break up the set, but the chairs were not in usable condition. Many side rails were cracked due to over 60 years of tipping back.

Joe looked the set over carefully, took some photos, and mentioned that he thought the backs could be saved. He worked up a quote, we agreed and off he went. What I sincerely liked about his work is that I was kept abreast of every step. I saw photos of the chairs coming apart, the raw wood as it set in his workshop, and the piles of saw dust. Joe even had me up to the workshop to view the progress and help to make decisions on the arms of the captain’s chair.

I can not say enough about the incredible professional manner or the exquisite finished job. The classic lines and gentle curves of the arms and legs fit in beautifully with the rest of the set. The finish has enhanced the black walnut in the new portion of the chairs. The upholstery job is fantastic! The chairs are far more comfortable in their new state! It is a miracle. His workmanship is top quality. He has given me back a part of my parents that I thought was gone forever. It makes me so happy that I have gorgeous new chairs that people can actually sit on. Joe even changed how the chairs went together from the old style. He carefully analyzed what the problem was and fashioned the new ones so the problem was non-existent any longer.

It makes me so proud to know that I had a miniscule part in teaching him the fine points of a good work ethic. However, Joe’s love for his work shows in his quality of finished product. This is something he has created for himself. Give him a call! He is honest, fair, a hard worker and has one hell of a keen eye for design!

Agatha Marano, Swampscott, Massachusetts

“I hired Mr. Unni to custom build computer desks, a television cabinet, bookshelves and storage units for our family room. He did a beautiful job and I would highly recommend him to anyone contemplating custom work for his or her home or place of business. Mr. Unni not only built the custom pieces, he designed them and drafted optional floor plans for the placement of those pieces.

I would hire Joe Unni again without question. He has excellent carpentry skills and the creativity of design to match. Along with his skills comes an honest, fair-minded, businessman who is a pleasure to work with. Every day he showed up on time and with a smile and a pleasant greeting.

The job he was hired for was fully completed and fully met my expectations. You will not be disappointed if you hire Joe Unni.”

-Appreciative Customer ~ Reading, Massachusetts

“It was a pleasure to have someone working in our home who was both a superb craftsman and an honest, hardworking person. We love the entertainment center and kid’s storage cubes Joe built! His suggestions for materials and design made the finished products exactly what we envisioned.

It's rare to find a skilled woodworker who is also a skilled businessman and communicator. Joe helped us determine what would work best in our space and then built some beautiful pieces for our home. We're extremely happy with the results and highly recommend him.

Joe showed up when he said he would, completed the work in the agreed upon time frame and was friendly, honest and highly skilled. He really paid attention to detail and cared about the projects. We love how the finished pieces came out and look forward to hiring him for future woodworking projects.”

-Holly Prees ~ Chelmsford, Massachusetts

"I discovered Joe Unni's work through a fundraiser at the Essex Art Center. When I first saw it I immediately imagined his table in one of three or four spots in my house where it would be a feature. I bid for it and got it. The simplicity of lines and the subtlety of wood variation captured me initially, but it was only when I really looked at the piece that it's true nature showed its face. The legs do not reach up to the table surface, it is the structure between the legs which support the top. I love the player of craftsmanship and design that has the confidence to pull of a surprise like that.

The table moves around our house. Sometimes in the kitchen, on occasion up in our bedroom. Sometimes in the snug against a curved wall on which it is the only piece of furniture. Sometimes its surface is as naked as it was made. Sometimes it holds a handmade ceramic bowl full of beach stones. Sometimes it becomes the branch on which a ceramic bird sits in a nest. Whatever situation this table is in it is at home and attracts the eye."

-Helen & David Tory ~ Essex, Massachusetts

"We have a very unusual shaped mudroom and Joe worked with my wife and I to come up with the perfect setup for the space. He was easy to talk with about our needs for the space and gave us very thoughtful and clever ideas. The finished product was even more than we expected. His craftsmanship is second to none and we look forward to our next project with Joe."

-Jeff Appelstein ~ Middleton, Massachusetts

"We moved into a new house with a very small kitchen. We contacted Joe to assist us with a solution. Not only did he envision and design the perfect piece for the room, he built it with impeccable skill and attention to detail. He kept us informed of his progress and allowed us the opportunity to make changes along the way.

The entire project was flawlessly conceived and executed. We continually get rave comments from guests. Joe Unni is a master craftsman - I'd strongly recommend him to anyone."

-Marc Bourassa ~ North Andover, Massachusetts

“We were drawn to the clean lines of Joe Unni’s work, that show off the fine character of the woods he employs.”  

- Kevin & Alison Sparks ~ North Andover, Massachusetts

I had to write you to tell you just how excited we are with our new kitchen!

As you know, the decision overhaul the most used room in our home was an immense, if not daunting, decision for us. We strongly believe that after a day at work, the chaos at home is best kept to a minimum. You understood the disturbance in our life and assured us that the project timeline would not slip and that costs would not unexpectedly increase. You also contacted us frequently during the project to communicate the progress we could not see, going on behind the scenes. We also appreciated being able to use your contacts (i.e. S&M Electric and the plumber, John Walsh) and that you reviewed their work since it was important to you that our kitchen was done perfectly.

One of the most appealing aspects of working with you was that you took the time to listen to us, and incorporate our dreams into your designs to make it truly ours. We so love the warmth of the butcher-block countertops, the grain of wood that you chose for us, the style of the moldings on the cabinets, the special one-of-a-kind touches you incorporated such as the single piece of wood used for the face of all the drawers for a pleasing flow to the eye, and all other aesthetic components which you took into consideration.

It has been a pleasure to work with you, and because of our wonderful experience, we will continue to work with you on additional projects, and recommend you to anyone who has a need for an artisan as yourself who excels at using fine wood as his medium.

Thank you again!

Sincerely, Joseph and Julianne Bourgeois

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