Our team brings together decades of combined experience in fine woodworking, furniture design, and architectural millwork. Each member contributes specialized skills that elevate every project from concept through completion.
James established Valtoranzlo after fifteen years working in high-end furniture studios across British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. His design philosophy emphasizes structural honesty and material integrity, drawing inspiration from mid-century modernism and Japanese joinery traditions. He oversees all design development and client consultations, ensuring each commission reflects both functional requirements and aesthetic aspirations.
With advanced training in traditional European cabinetmaking and contemporary fabrication methods, Elena executes the most technically demanding aspects of furniture construction. Her expertise in veneer work, complex joinery, and precision machining ensures structural excellence and dimensional accuracy. She mentors apprentices in the workshop, maintaining rigorous standards for craftsmanship across all projects.
Marcus brings a background in restoration and conservation to his role as finishing specialist. His deep understanding of wood chemistry, color theory, and application techniques produces surfaces that enhance natural beauty while providing lasting protection. Whether applying hand-rubbed oil finishes or catalyzed lacquer systems, he achieves consistency and depth that distinguish our completed pieces.
The culture at Valtoranzlo balances traditional apprenticeship models with contemporary collaborative practices, fostering continuous learning and technical innovation.
Projects flow through multiple hands, with each team member contributing expertise at appropriate stages. Design concepts are refined through collective input, fabrication challenges are solved collaboratively, and quality control involves comprehensive review before any piece leaves the workshop.
We invest in ongoing education through workshops, technical seminars, and exposure to historical furniture collections. This commitment to skill development ensures our team remains current with both traditional techniques and emerging technologies in woodworking.
Our workshop houses a comprehensive collection of hand tools, precision machinery, and specialized jigs developed for recurring operations. Team members demonstrate proficiency across this range, understanding when hand work achieves superior results and when machine operations provide efficiency without compromising quality.
We maintain exacting criteria for joint fit, surface preparation, and finish quality. Multiple inspection points throughout fabrication catch potential issues before they compound, and no piece proceeds to the next stage until it meets established benchmarks for precision and craftsmanship.
We periodically accept apprentices who demonstrate serious commitment to learning fine woodworking and furniture making as a profession.
Our apprenticeship program provides structured exposure to all aspects of custom furniture production, from lumber selection through final installation. Apprentices work alongside experienced craftspeople, developing skills progressively through hands-on participation in actual client projects. The learning environment emphasizes understanding the reasoning behind techniques rather than merely replicating procedures.
Apprentices typically spend two to three years in the program, gradually assuming greater responsibility as competency develops. Many graduates establish their own studios or join other fine woodworking shops, contributing to the broader community of makers committed to craft excellence.
Those interested in apprenticeship opportunities should contact us with information about their background, training, and motivations for pursuing furniture making as a career.
We welcome prospective clients to visit our Burnaby workshop by appointment to discuss projects, review work in progress, and explore our approach to custom furniture making.