A Heritage of Craft

In 1874 my Great-Great-Grandfather, August 'Papa' Johnson, left his native Sweden to build a new life in America. He settled in Brooklyn, started a family, and began a lifelong career in craft, building staircases and architectural woodwork. His tools were passed down, generation to generation, as was his passion for using his hands to create.

Four generations later, I followed my own siren's song and, in 2016, left my engineering career to enroll in North Bennet Street School's Cabinet and Furniture making program. There I spent two years training with expert furniture makers until graduating in 2018.

The nøkken/näcken is a mythological water spirit from Scandinavian folklore. It often takes the shape of a horse, and lures travelers with irresistible music. I named my company after this figure in honor of Papa Johnson's origins, and for the call we both felt to craftsmanship.

Traditional Technique

I am a furniture-maker in the Boston area. I work closely with my clients to design and build custom furniture and bespoke woodcraft that meet your aesthetic and functional desires, while keeping in mind the strengths and limitations of wood as a medium.

During my time at NBSS, I studied the construction of period pieces, learning how furniture made centuries ago was built to last even to today. Whether I am building a period replica or a contemporary design, I utilize these time-proven joinery techniques to best ensure your piece endures many long years of use and enjoyment.