When John English first picked up a piece of wood, his only goal was to try his hand at carving some spoons as a fun hobby.
As someone who has always loved being creative and working with his hands, he chipped away at his new pastime. He eventually elevated his designs from spoons, bowls and salt cellars to vases, lamps and plant stands by watching YouTube how-to videos on using a lathe and practicing the nuanced art of wood turning in his back bedroom.
At first, he did it mostly to thrill his wife. “I started to make things I hoped she would be impressed by and stuff we could use around the house,” says John, an art director at a Buffalo marketing agency by day.
“When I create a piece for a customer, I can tell them exactly where that piece of wood came from—what tree and what street,” says John English.
Eventually, the craft took on new meaning and purpose: Not only did he realize he had a passion for wood turning, but it also opened up a whole new world of creative expression and possibility. In 2018, Civilized Beasts was born, a small home goods business where John handcrafts bespoke products that emphasize functionality and elevated design.
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Pulling inspiration from mid-century to Art Deco, Italian Space Age and the Memphis design movement of the ’80s, the origin of his shop’s name comes from his desire to create something that feels comfortable (civilized) with something that looks bold with a touch of edge (beasts).
Glance at the @civilized_beasts Instagram page and you are met with a stunning, caramel-marbled dried flower vase made from eastern ironwood, gorgeous walnut ring boxes with brass overlay and funky geometric table lamps with white orbs carved in cherry wood—all polished to a glossy shine with beeswax.
“I think I started creating lamps because I was afraid of the dark,” he laughs, “but, really, I’ve always been drawn to warm light and ambiance. Making lamps was a new challenge that expanded my area of design. It’s a lot of interesting problem-solving, which is fun.”
His creative process is informed by good geometry, shapes, curves and natural colors. He is also resolute about only scavenging domestic hardwoods (cherry, oak and maples) that grow locally, harvested from already fallen-down trees and throwaway branches typically used for mulch or firewood.
“When I create a piece for a customer, I can tell them exactly where that piece of wood came from—what tree and what street,” John says. “I feel like I’m doing that tree more justice, and it’s sustainable. That matters to me.”
Functionality is also paramount: His pieces must work, not simply look good. It’s a balancing act between form and function.
“If it doesn’t work well, then there’s no point,” he says. “My design process always starts with that in mind.”
Depending on the product, John’s work can take a day to a month to create, notwithstanding the trial and error that goes into pushing his wood turning in new directions—like his most recent Saucer Lights, which marks the first time he’s tried painting a piece.
But, not unlike most things in life, patience is a virtue, and having something carved by hand with impeccable artistry is worth the wait. While John has no immediate plans to open a brick-and-mortar shop or market, Civilized Beasts accepts commissions directly via Instagram, and he’s willing to ship outside of Buffalo.
For him, it may just be a hobby—for the rest of us, it’s a rare opportunity to own a unique piece of art.
