My name is Robby, and I'm a Grand Canyon Boatman and Teton Ski Guide based in Flagstaff Arizona. It all began with my wife noting that we needed a new bed. I began researching and talked to a friend who had recently done the same research. She advised us to end our quest and do what she did and get a Thuma bed. It was the best reviewed and they were completely happy with their purchase. While I studied the website and researched the castle joint a thought began to take shape… I can make that! Armed with construction lumber leftover from a remodel project I undertook building my own castle joint bed and it was so out of square I had to scrap it and start over. The second effort was square and true! The pillow board made morning coffee in bed a highlight of the day! I had created a piece of furniture that made our lives better! While I was happy with the success of this second effort; there were lessons learned and new ideas I wanted to apply but our needs were met - there was no need for an additional bed.
I kept rolling different ideas for beds around in my head and had a hard time focusing on other matters. Finally I mentioned to my wife that I wanted to build and sell beds and two minutes later she was on the phone with a friend who is a strong patron of the arts. We chatted for a bit and the next thing I knew I had my first commission for a king size thuma style bed! One year later and I’m still full of new ideas, learning lessons and experimenting with styles and materials to create functional pieces which highlight the beauty of both the material and the final form.
KnoWonder Designs takes ideas and turns them into functional art. I use dimensional lumber as well as salvaged wood slabs, concrete, epoxy and other found materials to build beds, tables, chairs, stools, countertops and cabinets. I have some pieces in stock and accept commissions for custom orders.