Cabinetmaker's Notebook

James Krenov (1920-2009) was a woodworker, writer, and teacher known for his dedication to craftsmanship and simple, elegant design. Born in Russia, he spent his childhood in Shanghai before emigrating to the United States. He developed his woodworking skills largely through self-teaching and experimentation. Krenov’s work emphasized the importance of hand tools and a close relationship with the material. He is perhaps best known for his small, finely crafted cabinets and his philosophy of “quiet woodworking,” which prioritizes the maker’s connection to the wood and the process over mass production or commercial concerns. Krenov taught woodworking at the College of the Redwoods in Fort Bragg, California, for many years, where he influenced generations of woodworkers. He authored several influential books on woodworking.