David V. BrotmanForm and Function

David’s work has been recognized by architects, designers and clients throughout Los Angeles as being among the finest, most clean-lined woodworking the city’s many craftsmen offer.

His work has appeared in the New York Times (“A House Like a Pocketknife”, 6/3/09), dwell magazine online (“The Barn and the Lantern”, 7/19/10), the Los Angeles Times (“Why Leave Home”, 12/3/06), and in the SourceLA design show at L.A. Mart Design Center where David presented as a premier designer.

David works directly with his clients throughout the process of developing a design. Your input and interests are central to the design process, and you will have a clear vision of what is being built for you throughout.

Having spent much time in Washington D.C., New York, Boston, and Los Angeles – and immersing himself in many varied and beautiful wild places around the conti-nent – David draws forms from both architecture and nature into his woodworking. For some special projects he has felled, milled, and dried the lumber of selected trees.

An Allied Member of the American Institute of Architecture (Affiliate AIA/LA), David has developed collaborative design programs with area architects to foster a next generation of creative and innovative pieces.

Nature and Architecture -- We challenge ourselves with creative exercises like bringing natural forms

together with the familiar geometries of architecture. This piece (Pi -- A Bench for Two) is made entirely of

urban-harvested lumber.

Lines and Shadows -- Brought together well, mixed materials develop uniquely pleasing relationships between function and form, as with these occasional tables.

Warmth and Comfort -- Wood adds a warm presence in a room... whether it’s reclaimed Douglas fir timbers (above), or highly figured, select burlwood veneers. The footboard at left elegantly disguises a flat screen television lift within.

Atmosphere and Scale -- Working with design, you set the tone of a

space. The design process lets you address many elements -- personal

taste and needs, color, shape, use of space, light, function, and more.

Color and Light -- Even we continue to admire this kitchen... the result of a beauti-ful collaboration with a talented designer and contractor.

Centers and Perimeters -- Individual furniture pieces can set a festive tone and stage the center of a room. Installed works, like the custom-milled Poplar wall-treatment below, add mood, art, and texture.

Detail and Substance -- In remodeling this kitchen, we related the cabinetry to an existing dining set by accenting it with brushed aluminum edge details.

Prototypes and Explorations -- Building fully-functional, user-

ready prototypes for some of our designer-clients adds to our

involvement in the broader world of exploration in design.

Creativity and Achievement -- A personalized desk sets a stage suited to its owner and their ventures. Options are as broad as are imaginations and needs.

Display and Organization -- Shelving and cabinetry are

combined to optimize space-usage for both discrete

storage and proud displays.

Morning and Evening -- Rising to the day, and settling back into

home at night are even more of a joy at a vanity suited to you.

Levity and Levitation -- Here, shelving and vanity

float securely as does a bather relaxing in a warm bath.

Indoor and Out -- We like the way woodwork

adds to the sense of “home” as you approach, or step out

onto an elegant patio.

Literature and Culture -- Every home library has its own history

and stories to tell. A good design -- one that tastefully matches the owner, their

collections and their home -- becomes a good story teller.

Mass and Detail -- Even at a larger scale, details make the difference. The mouldings of this entertainment center (131”W x 110”H) are all custom made.

Tradition and Innovation -- Simplicity and ingenuity each play a role in creative solutions. The two-drawer cabinet at left is for basic storage, but also adds to the calm groundedness of this foyer. The stone-clad hearth (above) surrounds the unexpectedly low form of a fully modern entertainment center.

Trade and Art -- Displays make all the difference. We put as much pride and care into our commercial works as we do our residential and office projects. The piece to the right was customized to display the sweet wares of a local chocolatier.