Search
Close this search box.
Search

Merritt Woodwork is 50 This Year

Merritt’s painstakingly detailed product has earned the devotion of some of the world’s leading interior designers and architects. The company has worked on a wide range of projects, including a modern beach house in Malibu designed by Richard Meier and Christian Liaigre; a Manhattan penthouse designed by Robert A.M. Stern and Nathalie Droulers; and a massive traditional residence in East Hampton designed by Hart Howerton and Bunny Williams. Although wood is a more orthodox material, it is not outmoded, and thus suitable for any interior style. Wood has sensibilities of strength, but is poetic in a most contemporary sense. “People have worked with wood, crafted things of necessity as well as luxury, since the beginning of civilization,” says Michael.

By

Share

Marking its 50th anniversary this year, Merritt brings its rich material world into the modern era

Our attraction to wood is as enduring as the material itself. When it’s well crafted, honed with a sure hand, there is a no more authentic aesthetic. Wood is substance, legacy and deep roots. It’s also the métier of the remarkable family enterprise Merritt.

Founded as a regional woodworking firm in 1967 by George A. Merritt, the heritage company is a model operation, helmed by its namesake’s sons, G. Michael Merritt (CEO) and Keith Merritt (executive vice president). “Our father instilled in my brother Keith, and myself, a respect for the tradition and craft of woodworking,” says Michael Merritt.

“We Are a Woodworking Company, Yes, but We Are Also Engineers, Architects, Consultants, Metal Workers, Classical Carvers, Installers and More.”

Michael Merritt, Merritt CEO

“This is paramount and fundamental to delivering the exceptional results that we do. He also taught us to exceed expectations—and that is largely what has fueled our growth.”

That while also embracing new technologies and time-honored techniques, resulting in work informed by the bedrock principles of precision and passion.

Today, the international provider of interior solutions for residential estates and superyachts is a standard bearer of craftsmanship in its category that has blasted far past the boundaries of the traditional woodworking outfit. “We are a woodworking company, yes,” says Michael, “but we are also engineers, architects, consultants, metal workers, glass workers, classical carvers, installers and more.” Which means vast capabilities and full-scope services. Bringing the entire breadth under its umbrella has allowed Merritt to jettison the need for subcontractors and outside vendors, giving the company complete control of its most important asset—quality.

Merritt’s painstakingly detailed product has earned the devotion of some of the world’s leading interior designers and architects. The company has worked on a wide range of projects, including a modern beach house in Malibu designed by Richard Meier and Christian Liaigre; a Manhattan penthouse designed by Robert A.M. Stern and Nathalie Droulers; and a massive traditional residence in East Hampton designed by Hart Howerton and Bunny Williams.

Although wood is a more orthodox material, it is not outmoded, and thus suitable for any interior style. Wood has sensibilities of strength, but is poetic in a most contemporary sense. “People have worked with wood, crafted things of necessity as well as luxury, since the beginning of civilization,” says Michael.

“It is very primal.”

It’s also organic, with a natural beauty that’s eternal. Given the pace of today’s world, there’s comfort in this kind of continuity, whether it’s wood or a woodworking brand.

“No matter how advanced society and technology become, we all still crave things that are made from simple, raw materials,” says Michael.

“Whether we actually want to use our hands to make those things or are people who admire the work and results, we all still feel that connection to the timelessness of wood, marble, iron–basic, earthbound materials that do extraordinary things.”

MerrittWoodwork.com

RELATED TAGS

Framing Nature with TEN Studio

A patch of land on Avala Mountain in rural Serbia sets the stage for a gridded, steel-frame structure by TEN Studio.
  • February 7, 2024
  • Jenn Thornton

The Witkoff Group Unveils The Park Santa Monica: A Seven-Story Oasis of Luxury

Beyond a mere residence, The Park Santa Monica is a dynamic seven-story building, designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture for The Witkoff Group, redefines luxury living by seamlessly blending beauty, wellness, and community. With 249 thoughtfully crafted apartments featuring top-tier amenities, from white oak flooring to solar panels, The Park Santa Monica sets itself apart.
  • January 10, 2024
  • Abigail Stone

Weave House by The BAD Studio: An Ode to Indian Ikat Patterns

Weave House by The BAD Studio seamlessly blends contemporary design with traditional Indian craftsmanship, creating a harmonious living space inspired by the region's rich textile heritage, the house features an embossed brick and diamond façade reminiscent of Indian ikat patterns. The architecture coexists with the surrounding landscape, offering an organic lifestyle and smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • November 1, 2023
  • Jenn Thornton

Casa Bautista: A Tropical Escape Redefining Eco-Luxe Living

Discover the allure of Casa Bautista, a private eco-luxe retreat nestled between the pristine Mexican Caribbean and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve near Tulum, Mexico. This remarkable architectural gem, a collaborative effort between owner Ezequiel Ayarza Sforza and Mexico City-based architecture studio PRODUCTORA, offers a unique blend of chic sustainability and contemporary design.
  • November 1, 2023
  • Jenn Thornton

Blurring Boundaries: A Klopf Architecture Mid-Century Modern Marvel

Perched atop a rocky hill in Sonoma, California, Klopf Architecture's latest creation seamlessly marries the essence of mid-century modern design with a contemporary twist. With an astute eye for the indoor-outdoor connection, the architects brought the natural surroundings into the heart of the residence.
  • October 18, 2023
  • Jenn Thornton
Sign Up for DIGS Newsletters