Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 08, 2025
Tommy Mac Opens First Boston Showroom Featuring Handcrafted Furniture
TLDR
- Tommy Mac's exclusive handcrafted furniture offers unique, locally-made pieces that provide distinctive home decor advantages unavailable from mass-produced retailers.
- Each piece is crafted using traditional joinery techniques like through-mortise wedged tenons and bent-laminated rockers from North American hardwoods in limited quantities.
- The showroom supports Massachusetts-based artists and craftsmen while providing locally made, durable furniture that celebrates community craftsmanship and sustainable practices.
- Discover handcrafted rockers named after Tommy's mom Millie featuring sequentially matched boards that give each piece its own unique character and story.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development matters because it represents a growing movement toward supporting local artisans and sustainable craftsmanship in an era of mass-produced furniture. For consumers, it offers access to heirloom-quality pieces built to last generations rather than disposable items, while preserving traditional woodworking techniques that might otherwise be lost. The showroom creates economic opportunities for Massachusetts makers and strengthens community identity through locally sourced products. Additionally, it provides educational value by allowing people to connect directly with craftspeople and understand the artistry behind functional objects, fostering appreciation for quality over quantity in home furnishings.
Summary
Boston native and celebrated woodworker Tommy MacDonald, former host of PBS's 'Rough Cut: Woodworking with Tommy Mac,' is making his craftsmanship accessible to the public with the grand opening of his first-ever showroom at 155 Federal Street in Boston's Financial District. The October 16th opening marks a significant milestone for the North End artisan, whose collection features handcrafted rockers, armchairs, kitchen stools, live edge tables, beds, and more—all meticulously created using premium North American hardwoods at his local workshop. This new space transforms from a private workshop to a public destination where visitors can experience MacDonald's artistry firsthand, with nearly every displayed piece available for purchase and additional works from Massachusetts-based makers enhancing the celebration of local craftsmanship.
The showroom's centerpiece is the luxury arts-and-crafts-inspired rocker named after MacDonald's mother Millie, honoring her love of rocking chairs while showcasing exceptional woodworking techniques. Each rocker features through-mortise wedged tenons, bent-laminated rockers, and sequentially matched boards that ensure unique character, complemented by nine-spring, eight-tie seat foundations with plush down cushions upholstered in premium natural fabrics and leathers. The collection extends to versatile armchairs with multiple reclining settings and timeless kitchen stools crafted with single-board seats and wedged tenon joints, all built using traditional joinery methods that guarantee durability and comfort. Operating hours are Tuesday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., with Friday and Saturday available by appointment, encouraging visitors to schedule directly with Tommy at 781-856-2210 or explore his work online at www.tommymac.us.
Michael Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston Alliance, praised MacDonald's contribution to the local arts community, noting how his showroom joins other makers in showcasing workmanship to Downtown Boston's millions of monthly visitors. Established in 2005 and deeply rooted in Boston's North End neighborhood where MacDonald graduated from North Bennet Street School, Tommy Mac Custom Furniture represents both artistic excellence and community connection. The 2025 expansion to this Financial District location reflects growing demand for locally made, high-quality furniture that carries Boston's authentic spirit—built to last and meant for daily living, while supporting Massachusetts artists and preserving traditional woodworking techniques that define New England craftsmanship.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Tommy Mac Opens First Boston Showroom Featuring Handcrafted Furniture
