About Jim Luton
With close to thirty years in the woodworking industry, Jim Luton has aquired a broad range of skills and experience. Luton began his career in custom woodworking at H. Beckstoffer's Sons, in the historic Church Hill section of Richmond Virginia. He was fortunate to work with and learn from some of the best old time crafstmen of the day, doing a variety of architectural millwork projects that included circle and elliptical stairways, bay windows, arched doors, and various historical reproductions for Colonial Williamsburg and Agecroft Hall.

While learning the craft of fine woodworking, Jim also attended art school, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University. Luton's art and architectural background, as well as his compulsion for making fine things, has served him well throughout his career.

In 1985, Luton moved to New York City where he began working with Depreter and Robertson, a general contracting firm. They aquired a beautiful space on Great Jones Street, and gave him the task of setting up a cabinet shop that would in time become a very important part of the business. Tim Robertson set up a new corporation, Octagon House Construction, and with a fully equipped shop managed by Luton, tackled a wide range of residential and commercial projects. It was during this time that Luton fully honed his skills in the sometimes difficult New York environment.

In 2002, Luton opened his own shop, continuing the legacy of fine custom woodworking. Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, NY, Jim Luton Custom Woodworking and Design, a division of Canopy Studios, Inc. can provide the discerning client with fine furniture and custom cabinetry. Exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail are the benchmarks of the business.

Sliced maple bedroom wall and headboard unit.
Octagon House Construction
Designer - Desai-Chia, Architects

Dining table in birdseye maple and ebonized cherry
Designer - Jim Luton

Honduras and African mahogany bar for
Rolling Stones' Keith Richards
Octagon House Construction
Designer Leslie Armstrong AIA
 
 

Top - Kitchen and Banquette
Bottom - New livingroom bookcases and bow bay window restoration
Octagon House Construction
Designer - Leslie Armstrong, AIA