A 'Parks and Recreation' Star Comes Out of the Woodwork
Before Tinseltown called, he was a craftsman. Now Nick Offerman has turned his Los Angeles woodshop into a collective
“For a woodworker, I basically won the lottery," says Nick Offerman. The actor, who plays Ron Swanson on NBC's Parks and Recreation, has been blessed in the entertainment industry, turning his former job as a woodworker into an amazing hobby. Instead of closing up shop after landing his big role, Offerman turned his Los Angeles woodshop into a space that nurtures young woodworkers and produces amazing custom pieces. Here's the story behind Offerman Woodshop.
"I quickly learned in theater school that even though I was terrible at acting when I started out, I could make myself invaluable to all my peers because I could build the scenery," Offerman says. "I was astonished at how few 18-year-olds had ever swung a hammer before. These guys could all perform a basic Shakespeare monologue, but ask them to build a birdhouse. … They thought I was a superhero because I could do it."
While he spent college and his early theater career in Chicago building sets, it wasn't until Offerman moved to Los Angeles that he fell under the spell of heirloom furniture and saw that the joinery he used for sets and backyard cabins could be used in a stunning slab table.
Shown: Built-in shelving made of reclaimed Douglas fir, by Justin Goldwater.
While he spent college and his early theater career in Chicago building sets, it wasn't until Offerman moved to Los Angeles that he fell under the spell of heirloom furniture and saw that the joinery he used for sets and backyard cabins could be used in a stunning slab table.
Shown: Built-in shelving made of reclaimed Douglas fir, by Justin Goldwater.
The Shop Grows
When Offerman landed his role on Parks and Recreation, he knew that his life was going to change, big time. Either his workshop was going to gather dust, or he needed to find some woodworkers to help him. "Coming from a big family and from theater, it was natural that I would choose the latter, because I like being around a big group of people, working together to do something creative," Offerman says.
Offerman first brought on RH Lee, his woodshop manager. "She is a very small lady who's worth about three of me," he says. "She's incredibly strong, a beautiful woodworker, and I immediately laid claim to her. She's invaluable to my shop."
Over the past four years, Offerman and Lee have created a sturdy team, including Offerman's brother Matt and Palo Alto, California, native Josh Salsbury. "We call [Salsbury] 'The Beef,' because of his last name, which is ironic since he's rather thin," says Offerman, laughing.
Shown: California Claro Walnut dining table and benches, by RH Lee.
When Offerman landed his role on Parks and Recreation, he knew that his life was going to change, big time. Either his workshop was going to gather dust, or he needed to find some woodworkers to help him. "Coming from a big family and from theater, it was natural that I would choose the latter, because I like being around a big group of people, working together to do something creative," Offerman says.
Offerman first brought on RH Lee, his woodshop manager. "She is a very small lady who's worth about three of me," he says. "She's incredibly strong, a beautiful woodworker, and I immediately laid claim to her. She's invaluable to my shop."
Over the past four years, Offerman and Lee have created a sturdy team, including Offerman's brother Matt and Palo Alto, California, native Josh Salsbury. "We call [Salsbury] 'The Beef,' because of his last name, which is ironic since he's rather thin," says Offerman, laughing.
Shown: California Claro Walnut dining table and benches, by RH Lee.
Spoiled Rotten
"I'm spoiled rotten, as my other shop owner friends love to point out to me," says Offerman. "Because I'm spoiled, I saw an opportunity to help out some other aspiring woodworkers. So we created a deal — it's kind of like a co-op, combined with a benign dictatorship. I pay the rent, but everyone pays an overhead percentage on any projects."
Everyone in the shop takes custom commissions. Lee is currently working on a mahogany pinball table, and Goldwater has been commissioned to build the interior of a new wine bar using reclaimed Douglas fir. Each individual jumps around on projects, too.
Shown: A typewriter stand made of mahogany and glass, by Josh Salsbury.
"I'm spoiled rotten, as my other shop owner friends love to point out to me," says Offerman. "Because I'm spoiled, I saw an opportunity to help out some other aspiring woodworkers. So we created a deal — it's kind of like a co-op, combined with a benign dictatorship. I pay the rent, but everyone pays an overhead percentage on any projects."
Everyone in the shop takes custom commissions. Lee is currently working on a mahogany pinball table, and Goldwater has been commissioned to build the interior of a new wine bar using reclaimed Douglas fir. Each individual jumps around on projects, too.
Shown: A typewriter stand made of mahogany and glass, by Josh Salsbury.
Mustache Comb "Second Edition"
Naturally, Parks and Recreation's popularity has affected the woodshop's popularity — particularly the website traffic. While most visitors to the Offerman Workshop site might not be able to afford one of the group's custom furniture pieces, the crew has come up with a collection of more affordable (slightly Ron Swanson–like) items for visitors, like a mustache comb, meat cutting board and kazoo.
Still His Shop
While his success in the entertainment industry has meant that woodworking is less of a full-time gig and more of a hobby, Offerman still insists on picking out all of the massive wood slabs for the shop's projects. "I liken it to a lady's closet full of shoes," he says. "I've discovered my vice, and my vice is buying pieces of trees."
A couple of times a year, Offerman drives a truck up to Northern California to purchase trees and mill them in his own chainsaw mill. Each tree has fallen naturally or has been felled because of disease or other concerns. "There's plenty enough trees in the country laying around on the ground for us to use," says Offerman. "I love living trees, and I hope to never need to harm one to create my product."
Shown: Solid Claro Walnut Coffee Table, by Nick Offerman.
While his success in the entertainment industry has meant that woodworking is less of a full-time gig and more of a hobby, Offerman still insists on picking out all of the massive wood slabs for the shop's projects. "I liken it to a lady's closet full of shoes," he says. "I've discovered my vice, and my vice is buying pieces of trees."
A couple of times a year, Offerman drives a truck up to Northern California to purchase trees and mill them in his own chainsaw mill. Each tree has fallen naturally or has been felled because of disease or other concerns. "There's plenty enough trees in the country laying around on the ground for us to use," says Offerman. "I love living trees, and I hope to never need to harm one to create my product."
Shown: Solid Claro Walnut Coffee Table, by Nick Offerman.
Much like his Parks and Recreation alter ego Ron Swanson, Offerman (the one with the mustache) has been working with wood since he was a kid. Having grown up on an Illinois farm, he spent plenty of time around tools and machinery. By the time he started studying theater at the University of Illinois, he was comfortable building the basics.
Shown: The Offerman Woodshop team. Back, left to right: Nick Offerman, Justin Goldwater. Front, left to right: RH Lee, Michele Diener, Matthew Micucci. Not pictured: Matt Offerman and Josh Salsbury.