Meet Christopher White | Woodworker & musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I felt like I had nothing to lose when I was a kid, so I would take lots of risks – for whatever reason, either by ignorance or not caring about the results; I guess that’s what being a kid is all about. I’m older now, and I think life, in general, is about taking risks, so why not go all the way? I’ve learned a lot along the way – there might be consequences and rewards, but it’ll always be exciting. Life begins outside our comfort zone, and I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t take risks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I design and build custom furniture. I pride myself on being able to translate what the client wants in a design, then bring it to life. I know how to create an open space where the client feels free to be creative and is able to develop a personal bond with the finished piece. Being social helps since it’s partly about the woodworking but also about the connection. Being a musician, I also relate design to music and feel like a song and furniture have a lot in common. A piece of furniture with a lot going on, wild dancing thick wood grain, can be compared to a heavy riff, a heavy beat – alternatively, the thinner the grain, the faster the song. On the other hand, easy-going music is similar to a simple modern-designed piece.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d start in Central Park, then make our way south. A visit to the Met is always a must! After, we’d wander down at a slow pace south with a stop at Jimmy’s Corner in Times Square for a hole-in-the-wall beer, then continue to Lil’ Frankie’s on 1st Avenue for some incredible Italian cuisine. I’d drag them to Coney Island the next day, with a quick walk over to Brighton Beach for a glass of wine at Tatiana’s. If weather permits, a trip to Fort Tilden for an end-of-the-day dip in the Atlantic is ideal. Lastly, blue crabs at Clemente’s crab house in Sheepshead Bay to finish the day!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I give a shoutout to my family and friends – both the love and encouragement, along with the hardships. These positive and negative experiences made me who I am today. I’d also give a shoutout to music in general. I’ve learned a lot from musical artists such as Townes Van Zandt, Howlin’ Wolf, and Gloria Jones, to name a few. Listening to people’s experiences and stories in ballades touches the soul more than words.

Website: christopherwhitedesigns.com

Instagram: @christopherwhitedesigns