BARN Instructor Tim Celeski has designed and built more than 100 custom pieces of fine furniture for homes built by Charles and Henry Greene, the architectural duo that revolutionized the American Arts and Crafts movement in the early 1900s. But he’s reproduced only one piece exactly from the original: the Blacker House Mirror, one of the most significant pieces of American decorative art.
The Blacker House entry mirror is one of the finest examples of Greene & Greene furniture design. It was made in 1907 to adorn the entryway of the Blacker House in Pasadena, Calif., a home that represents the pinnacle of what became known as the “Ultimate Bungalow” style.
The mirror embodies the Greenes’ philosophy of elevating everyday objects into works of art through exceptional design and craftsmanship. It holds a special place in Celeski’s repertoire. “It’s the only piece I make that is an exact copy of a historic piece,” he says. “For me, it’s very special.”
“To some degree, it’s an over-the-top design,” he says. “The features are very strong. But it looks good with everything.” This bold yet harmonious quality is precisely what has made the original mirror, now housed in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, such an enduring masterpiece. Beginning next month, Celeski will teach an intensive four-session workshop where participants can create their own version of this historic piece.
A Journey Through Craftsmanship
Celeski studied architecture and design and worked as a designer for 30 years before becoming a full-time furniture maker. Using his design skills, he mainly focuses on the original design of high-end custom furniture, including nearly three dozen pieces for the current owners of the Blacker House.
To recreate the Blacker House mirror, he experimented with different approaches and consulted with master craftsman Jim Ipekjian, who created the precise reproduction that hangs in the newly restored Blacker House.
“I got kind of obsessed with creating a perfect example of a mirror,” Celeski admits. This obsession has led to him developing six different methods of construction, each refining the process while maintaining the integrity of the original design.
The design features a mahogany frame with decorative ebony pegs and the brothers’ distinctive “cloud lift” pattern – a signature Greene & Greene design element that creates gentle, wavelike curves that soften the rectangular frame. For fine woodworkers, it’s also a technically fascinating piece featuring intricate joinery, including a unique angled haunched joint at the top that requires precise craftsmanship.
The class, while challenging, opens a window into the world of fine woodworking and the Arts and Crafts tradition. Students are encouraged to consider making multiple frames during the course, as they make excellent gifts.
“I’ve given dozens of these mirrors away over the years,” Celeski says.
Students work with premium materials—ribbon-cut Khaya mahogany and Gaboon ebony for plugs—and learn both traditional handcraft techniques and modern methods using tools like the Festool Domino for precise joinery. The result is a mirror that can be either 16 by 38 inches (matching the original) or 16 by 48 inches for a taller version.
Beyond the technical skills, what Celeski offers is a connection to a pivotal moment in American design history. Every curve, joint, and ebony plug tells a story of the Arts and Crafts movement’s dedication to beauty, functionality, and hand craftsmanship. It’s an opportunity to learn from a master craftsman who has spent years perfecting this iconic piece—and perhaps create an heirloom that will tell its own story for generations to come.
Workshop registration is open until Nov. 21, with classes beginning Dec.3. Financial assistance is available. More information and registration >>
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