We apologize. Nothing happens on Capitol Hill anymore without being part of a trend or a theme. We can’t help it. Here’s another. Another shop is opening in PIke/Pine that is part retail, part gallery.

We’ve seen new “low brow” art gallery Ltd. move in on E Pike and the plans for a Polaroid camera shop and gallery space being readied for E Pine. Heck, let’s include tattoo studio and art space True Love in the mix.

This time, a craftsman has hung his shingle — a big slab of wood, really — on E Pike. Dale Shafman has opened his new Northwest Wood Design gallery and showroom at 611 E Pike.

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“We do both residential and commercial work, none on the Hill as of yet,” Shafman says. “But I am hoping to change that.”

The gallery showcasing Shafman’s woodwork and creations replaces Scenic Drive Factory which opened in the space a year ago and had only a temporary deal for the space until a long-term tenant was found.

That long-term tenant, he hopes, is Shafman. He says he creates his fine furniture with an eye toward leaving the high quality wood he works with mostly untouched.

“Each Tree/Slab has its own story, we use this element as our starting point in our approach,” he writes. “The outcome is a blending of the beautiful natural form of the slab with a modern clean aesthetic to enhance each piece built.”

Shafman said he also plans to hold seminars and teach classes in the space as well as invite guest artisans to work in the gallery.

His wife, artist Desiree D’Ambrosio Shafman, will also show her work in the space and a selection of her hand painted floorcloths that can be used as rugs.

While Shafman says he works with reclaimed wood he hasn’t yet worked with anything from the Hill like this old tree that fell and was eventually turned into furniture:

I have not used a tree from the hill, but have used tress from within the city limits. All the wood is from WA. Usually from within a 250 mile radius. I would love to find/have more opportunities to use trees As locally as possible. For example: When people are building and the arborist removes trees, If we get these trees and they are good, we can make the homeowners furniture and or millwork for their new home. This is a very special way for the tree to continue its place/life in and on that property. Of course having certain trees which come down due to a storm or for other natural reasons is another great way of utilizing the local resource.

You can learn more at northwestwooddesign.com.