Philosophy

His craft approach was simple. Arden desired his furniture to be useful objects, striking in quality and beauty, and always in service to us.

Arden Riddle grew up close to the land in Stumptown, West Virginia.  After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army to fight in World War II. A pacifist in nature, he would nonetheless say later in life about the war, “We couldn’t let Hitler get away with it.” He was discharged from the Army as a decorated Master Supply Sergeant. His wartime experience led him to seek meaning in his career and life.

After a formal education in furniture design, networking and internships, Arden opened his shop in Copley, Ohio, in 1950. Through his experiences in Europe, he became influenced by Danish design and the German Bauhaus movement. These design concepts merged into what is recognized today as midcentury modernism. Arden matured in the design movement but did not stray far from his roots as a design draftsman. He never wavered in his design aesthetic, even when that spare style went out of favor with the masses.

The midcentury modern movement occurred from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s. It included architecture as well as industrial, interior, and graphic design. American designers—such as Charles and Ray Eames, Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll, George Nelson, Jens Risom, George Nakashima, Sam Maloof, and Arden Riddle—created iconic furniture that is still highly coveted and collected.

Arden’s midcentury modern furniture utilized clean lines and smooth surfaces, providing a fuss-free design. As a true artisan, Arden worked long hours to achieve the precise execution of his designs. He personally selected the wood, and he demonstrated the durability of his fabrics by raking an icepick over them. He designed drawers in chests and desks to close with his little finger.

The simplicity of the construction is as important as the simplicity of the design. He built his pieces with butt joints reinforced with dowels, which he would dry before inserting so they would absorb moisture and swell once in place. All of his pieces are treated with a finish that is impregnated within the wood, so it holds up well to wear and can easily be refreshed. Customers never lost their appreciation for the modern aesthetic or for Arden’s commitment to superb craftsmanship.