Pawcatuck Furniture Maker Creates Artisan Designs

Tucked away on Prospect Street in Pawcatuck is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. is the name of the business and master carpenter, Joe Twichell is the artisan responsible for producing unique furniture designs and custom repairs. 

Currently, you’ll find Twichell producing six designs for the Fine Furnishings and Fine Craft Show in Providence, held October 21 to 23 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. His dovetail joinery and assemblage of beautifully crafted furniture is made with an artful blend of walnut, butternut, cherry and catalpa. His lines are traditional with subtle, but unexpected and distinctive details. All in all, he’s an unusual find in our neck of the woods.

Twichell grew up in Pomfret, Connecticut and moved to Ojai, California as a teenager. With a bacehlor’s in English Literature from Claremont Men’s College, Twichell hoped to teach but after giving it a fair shot, moved to New Mexico then back to the East Coast to receive a master’s in regional planning.

“I got these degrees as a way of learning how to think,” Twichell said. “I like to read and I’m interested in environmental things but while I was at UMass Amherst, my father gave me a book called the Impractical Cabinet Maker by James Krenov—that really took hold.”

Third time’s a charm for many and Twichell’s situation was no exception. In 1977, He enrolled in the 15-month furniture and cabinet-making program at North Bennet Street School.

“That’s how I got started,” Twichell said. “Although, it wasn’t the absolute start, my father always had a woodworking shop in his house, so I grew up with some familiarity.” 

Twichell graduated and opened his own shop in Stow, Massachusettes and then moved into the world of museum furniture repairing where he worked at the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities for 10 years. There, Twichell repaired the best of the best and developed his skill in high-end detail including carving and inlay. In addition to working with SPNEA’s collections, he worked on projects for the U.S. State Department collection, Mark Twain house, RISD’s museum and Yale.

Brought to the area by his wife over six years ago, Twichell returned to flying solo and opened his own cabinet shop in Pawcatuck.

“Moving here has been a great move for me,” Twichell said. “I love the area and it’s coming back home.”

The abundance of cultural amenities, community and diverse activities without being in a city are appealing to him. Through his wife and church, he’s developed rich friendships and enjoys the benefits of the relaxed environment.

For now, Twichell is continuing his repair work, getting ready for the upcoming show and focusing on creating his own brand as a furniture designer. He’s proved himself as an asset in the community as far as repair work and now he’s committed to bringing his vision of design to Pawcatuck and the surrounding areas as well.