I've been working with wood my whole life — first as a hobby, then as a calling. This is my story.
I've been working with wood since I was old enough to hold a hand plane. What started as weekend projects in my father's garage — cutting boards, simple shelves, small tables — grew into something I couldn't put down.
After years of honing my craft in my spare time, I made the leap to build a full workshop in Virginia Beach. That was over 12 years ago. Since then, I've built more than 150 custom pieces for homeowners across Hampton Roads — dining tables, entertainment centers, floating shelves, heirloom restorations, and everything in between.
I'm a one-man operation by choice. Every piece that carries my name was built by my hands, to my standards. No outsourcing, no shortcuts, no mass production.
"I don't build furniture. I build the thing you'll point to when someone visits your home and says, 'Where did you get that?'"
A few things I believe about woodworking — and about the relationship between a craftsman and the people he builds for.
Every board has a story in its grain. I hand-select each piece of lumber for color, figure, and character — because two boards from the same species can look completely different, and the right one makes all the difference in the finished piece.
I build with solid hardwoods and time-tested joinery methods. The goal isn't just a piece that looks good today — it's a piece that will outlast the house it's in. Mortise and tenon, dovetails, hand-cut joinery where it counts.
I take on a limited number of projects at a time. That means you get my full focus — not a production line. Every piece I build is a direct reflection of what you asked for, not a variation of whatever's easiest to manufacture in bulk.
My Virginia Beach workshop is where every piece begins — from the first sketch to the final coat of finish.
Every review here represents a real piece built for a real home in Hampton Roads.
"I'm on cloud nine with this entertainment and storage cabinet. It's so perfect and maximizes our space. Wally was easy to work with from start to finish."
"Could not be happier with my experience buying a custom desk from Wally. The result was better than what I had originally envisioned. I use it every single day."
"Absolutely love the way you make your furniture — I just know it'll last me a lifetime of enjoyment. The walnut dining table is the centerpiece of our home."