Jim Picardi became involved with woodworking at an early age when he began working in his father's carpentry shop. After receiving his BA in economics from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1979, he pursued a career in fine cabinetmaking. For several years, he apprenticed with other craftsmen around the US, honing his skills in furniture design and wood joinery.

In 1983 he set up his own shop in Arlington Massachusetts, not far from where he grew up, and he focused on building custom kitchens and casework for area builders and architects. Several years later, Picardi was drawn back to the landscape of rural, western Massachusetts, where he built his own home and shop in Shelburne Falls.

While he's continued to take commissions from clients in the Boston area, Jim’s customer base has grown to include much of southwestern New England as well as New York and New Jersey. He has also shipped furniture as far afield as Washington State. In the portfolio provided here, you can view a sampling of his work, including a commission for the Porches Inn at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, Massachusetts.

Over the past 30 years, Jim has developed a reputation based on high quality cabinet and furniture making, client-focused relationships, and environmentally sustainable and health-conscious business practices.

High Quality Craftsmanship

My craft has evolved along with the challenges presented by each new commission. Whether it's an interpretation of an 18th century China cabinet or a contemporary media room, I feel I give a part of myself to each project and in turn gain further insight and knowledge of the intricacies of fine wood joinery.

Jim is known for his attention to detail. Every item is handcrafted at his bench. He has worked with a variety of building materials, from exotic woods to sustainable bamboo and locally grown ash and cherry. His portfolio includes a wide range of products: contemporary media centers, traditional kitchen cabinetry, custom wainscot and paneling, civil war-era gun display cabinets, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts style furniture, and more. Furthermore, his creations are crafted with a lifetime of service in mind. His cabinets incorporate the highest quality European hardware and accessories, resulting in effortless function and trouble-free use for many years.

Environtmentally friendly work practices

Aside from his precision craftsmanship and his attention to the aesthetics of each piece, Jim is also known for his commitment to using environmentally friendly building materials. Since studying environmental economics at UMASS and later working on early solar construction projects in the 70s, Jim has pursued working practices that will reduce the environmental impact of his work and that address individual health concerns of clients with chemical sensitivities.

He works with a range of innovative products such as formaldehyde-free cabinet components, sustainably harvested lumber, water-based finishes, and low or no VOC paints and adhesives. Upon request, he can provide Forestry Stewardship Council certified materials as well.
As of August 2011 Jim’s shop and home will be powered entirely by photovoltaic panels.