So, I’d been hunting for a very specific kind of bookshelf for ages. You know the type, something sturdy, not too modern, but not ancient either. Nothing I saw online or in the big stores felt right. Then, my neighbor mentioned these guys, the Alvarez Brothers, who apparently do custom woodwork out of an old workshop downtown. I figured, why not? Couldn’t hurt to ask.
Finding their place was the first little adventure. It wasn’t on the main drag, tucked away down a side street I barely knew existed. Looked a bit run-down from the outside, honestly. But I pushed the door open, and the smell of sawdust and varnish hit me immediately. It felt like a proper workshop.
Inside, I met two guys, who I guessed were the brothers. Older fellas, didn’t say a whole lot at first. I showed them the rough drawing I’d made – nothing fancy, just lines on paper. They passed it between them, muttered a bit in Spanish, tapped the paper. One of them, maybe the older one, finally looked up and asked a few questions about the wood type and the finish I wanted. Real practical questions. No sales pitch, just getting down to business.
Getting it Made
They gave me a price. It wasn’t dirt cheap, definitely more than your flat-pack stuff, but it felt reasonable for solid wood, made by hand. I said okay, let’s do it. They told me it would take about three weeks.
During that time, I actually stopped by the workshop once more, just out of curiosity. It was cool seeing them work. Tools everywhere, some old, some new. They were actually shaping the wood for what looked like my shelf. It wasn’t just pressing buttons on a machine; it was hands-on skill. They showed me how they were joining the pieces, even suggested a slightly thicker base for extra support, which I thought was smart. It felt good, you know, being part of the process, even in a small way.
There was a small delay, maybe two or three days past the three weeks. But they called me. Didn’t just leave me hanging. Apologized, said the varnish needed an extra coat because of the humidity. I appreciated the honesty. Way better than some companies I’ve dealt with.
- Finding the place was tricky.
- The brothers were focused, skilled craftsmen.
- Seeing the work in progress was insightful.
- Communication was straightforward and honest.
When I finally went to pick it up, man, it looked great. Solid, heavy, exactly the dimensions I needed. Fit perfectly in the spot I had planned for it. It just felt… substantial. You could tell it was built to last.
Looking back, the whole thing was a good experience. It made me think about how stuff gets made. It wasn’t just clicking a button online and having a box show up. I met the people who built it, saw where they worked, and got something unique. It felt more meaningful. Might have to see what else the Alvarez Brothers can build next time I need something special.
