Page 94 - Nashville Interiors - Winter (2019-2020)

AR T, AR TIS ANS AND ANTIQUES

Artist WATSON WOODCRAFT

Spotlight SMITHVILLE’S JOSEPH WATSON CARRIES ON FAMILY
TRADITION WITH CUSTOM WOODWORKING BUSINESS

L passed down through the
STORY BY MARY BERNARD | PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED

ike a cherished piece of furniture

generations, Joseph Watson’s passion
for woodworking comes from his dad.
Growing up by his father’s side in the
family-run business, Watson has been
working with wood since he was a
young boy.

“I was probably 10 or 11 when I really
started paying attention to it and really knew
that was what I wanted to do,” Watson says.

Since 2006, Watson has been in business for
himself with Watson Woodcraft in Smithville,
Tennessee. Watson Woodcraft today produces
customized, artisan pieces, unique works of
craftsmanship and design, the result of decades
of learning and apprenticeship. He caters to a
higher-end, luxury market — clients who have
the financial means to spend thousands of
dollars on one chair or up to $20,000 on a built-
in library.

No two pieces leaving Watson’s shop are alike.
Each is crafted specifically for its buyer, pairing
the client’s ideas with Watson’s gift for bringing
that vision to life. This process of creating
something from nothing is the most gratifying
aspect of Watson’s job.

“Making something from scratch is very
inspiring. My ability to … help someone realize
their vision and design it for them sets us apart,”
Watson says. “I just love being out ... in the shop,
designing and building and shaping the wood,
drawing the design. That’s what I enjoy.”

Since childhood, Watson has immersed himself
in the functional art and creative expression of
woodworking. “Since I was 11 years old, I’ve been
reading everything I could get my hands on
about design,” he says. He describes his design

92 | NASHVILLE INTERIORS | WINTER 2020