{"id":1396,"date":"2015-09-29T17:16:50","date_gmt":"2015-09-29T17:16:50","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2021-08-03T16:43:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-03T16:43:04","slug":"makers-monday-pastrana-studio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/","title":{"rendered":"Makers Monday: Pastrana Studio"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written and photographed by contributing editor Tyler Sharp<\/a><\/p>\n

For Texas natives Kate & Julian Pastrana<\/a>, the path that led to designing and shaping works of art from wood had very humble beginnings. \u201cWhen we first got married, we couldn\u2019t afford any quality furniture for our house, so we just decided to start building it ourselves,\u201d Julian told me in his soft spoken, genuine demeanor. <\/p>\n

And build it they did. <\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1005″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”1440″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part farmhouse, part furniture showroom, their home on the rural outskirts of Denton, Texas is an ever-evolving canvas of the couple\u2019s creativity, and sense of design. Bar stools, serving boards, tables of various sizes, and prototype chairs populate their country home, which acts as both drawing board and proving ground. \u201cThe advantage of building things for ourselves first is that we get to make sure it works. We sit on the bar stools, eat off the serving boards, and break in the tables. It has to work in our home before it can be in anyone else\u2019s,\u201d Kate told me as we sipped coffee on their screened-in porch (which they also built). With hints of improvement projects around every corner, including custom woodwork on the walls, their abode is a testament to a philosophy of function. <\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1007″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

Operating out of their adjacent garage turned workshop, the couple collaborates on the process from start to finish; from home improvement idea, to polished product. This also allows them to spend more time together on Julian\u2019s days off from being a full time firefighter and EMT. And though they both have creative backgrounds, neither of them had any woodworking experience prior to this endeavor. \u201cI taught myself to play the guitar years ago, so I figured I could teach myself to run a few saws too,\u201d Julian confidently stated, his shirt and jeans festooned with sawdust from a recent wood cut. \u201cIt\u2019s always a learning process\u2026about different types of wood, where to find them, and their individual properties. We use a lot of Texas woods, most of which are sourced locally, and we enjoy educating people about what we discover through the process.\u201d<\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1018″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

In a world dominated by single servings and furniture built by number, the Pastranas are hand making products that will stand the test of time, grow in beauty, and hopefully be passed on as family heirlooms. Though it is their business, the fact that it remains a creative outlet for home improvement, ensures the authenticity and virtue in their aims; they want to create beautiful things that will work, and last. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a passion for us, and something we will continue to do regardless of whether people buy anything or not,\u201d Kate remarked. \u201cThat\u2019s the difference between being JUST a woodworker, or being an artist\u2026it\u2019s not just about function, but about the desire to create something beautiful.\u201d <\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1009″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”1440″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

And those creations are being collected left and right by loyal customers, friends, and design aficionados, especially in Texas. \u201cWe\u2019ve been in business just over a year, and the response has been amazing. There is such a supportive community here in Denton, and the encouragement of other artists and peers has pushed us, and kept us going. Thankfully the growth has been very manageable, as it\u2019s just the two of us filling orders,\u201d Julian was happy to report.<\/p>\n

While most of their business has come from online orders, success at recent pop-up shops has allowed them to branch into some larger, one-of-a-kind pieces for clients who wanted custom work, as well as several concept restaurants in the North Texas. Other times it\u2019s just a friend who needs something specific for their house. \u201cWe let the wood speak for itself, and try not to cover up the natural grains. We also don\u2019t do a lot of raw edge work, so it isn\u2019t very rustic, but can still fit into that aesthetic mix in someone\u2019s home because of the natural woods,\u201d Julian said of their style.<\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1010″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

With the resurgence of the maker movement in recent years, people are once again learning to appreciate quality over quantity, which often requires an investment towards a marginally higher price tag. High caliber is becoming more popular, which is good news for the hard working folks behind Pastrana Studio. But regardless of changing times and trends, Kate & Julian will continue to craft wares that not only suit their lifestyle, but many of the ones yet to come. With a dedication to simple function, quality craftsmanship, and timeless design, this quiet couple behind Pastrana Studio is at the very pulse of what the maker movement is all about.<\/p>\n

Visit MakersMonday.com<\/a> and pledge to Buy Maker on November 30th. <\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1011″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1013″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1014″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1015″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1016″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”1017″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”640″,”title”:””,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”960″}}]]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written and photographed by contributing editor Tyler Sharp For Texas natives Kate & Julian Pastrana, the path that led to designing and shaping works of art from wood had very humble beginnings. \u201cWhen we first got married, we couldn\u2019t afford any quality furniture for our house, so we just decided to start building it ourselves,\u201d […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[4],"yoast_head":"\nMakers Monday: Pastrana Studio - Our Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Makers Monday: Pastrana Studio - Our Stories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Written and photographed by contributing editor Tyler Sharp For Texas natives Kate & Julian Pastrana, the path that led to designing and shaping works of art from wood had very humble beginnings. \u201cWhen we first got married, we couldn\u2019t afford any quality furniture for our house, so we just decided to start building it ourselves,\u201d [...]Read More...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Our Stories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-09-29T17:16:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-08-03T16:43:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Taylor Rebhan\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/\",\"name\":\"Our Stories\",\"description\":\"A journal by Shinola dedicated to THE joy of craft\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/\",\"name\":\"Makers Monday: Pastrana Studio - Our Stories\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2015-09-29T17:16:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-08-03T16:43:04+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#\/schema\/person\/060aa96ae4cfa418688aa72467ed4568\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Makers Monday: Pastrana Studio\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#\/schema\/person\/060aa96ae4cfa418688aa72467ed4568\",\"name\":\"Taylor Rebhan\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ef281772e6ea80de61c511c2f4d4eef?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ef281772e6ea80de61c511c2f4d4eef?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Taylor Rebhan\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/author\/trebhan\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Makers Monday: Pastrana Studio - Our Stories","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Makers Monday: Pastrana Studio - Our Stories","og_description":"Written and photographed by contributing editor Tyler Sharp For Texas natives Kate & Julian Pastrana, the path that led to designing and shaping works of art from wood had very humble beginnings. \u201cWhen we first got married, we couldn\u2019t afford any quality furniture for our house, so we just decided to start building it ourselves,\u201d [...]Read More...","og_url":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/","og_site_name":"Our Stories","article_published_time":"2015-09-29T17:16:50+00:00","article_modified_time":"2021-08-03T16:43:04+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Taylor Rebhan","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#website","url":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/","name":"Our Stories","description":"A journal by Shinola dedicated to THE joy of craft","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/","name":"Makers Monday: Pastrana Studio - Our Stories","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#website"},"datePublished":"2015-09-29T17:16:50+00:00","dateModified":"2021-08-03T16:43:04+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#\/schema\/person\/060aa96ae4cfa418688aa72467ed4568"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/makers-monday-pastrana-studio\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Makers Monday: Pastrana Studio"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#\/schema\/person\/060aa96ae4cfa418688aa72467ed4568","name":"Taylor Rebhan","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ef281772e6ea80de61c511c2f4d4eef?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0ef281772e6ea80de61c511c2f4d4eef?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Taylor Rebhan"},"url":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/author\/trebhan\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1396"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1396"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2212,"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1396\/revisions\/2212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourstories.shinola.com\/our-stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}