Meet the Josh

Can you describe your role at Loewen Design Studios?

I do a bit of everything is probably most accurate, but most often I’m responsible for videos and the website. But I get to do deliveries, sand and finish tables, cut them, I get to help reorganize the shop, take some pictures, talk to people, yeah I get to do some of everything which is pretty cool.

Before working at Loewen Design Studios, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

I briefly had a small business with a friend making duct tape wallets and selling them at local fairs and such. I remember I made a wallet with an entire level of Yoshi’s Island on it, with an accurate background and everything. That was a lot of fun

 If you could switch your job with anyone else, whose job would you want?

Here at Loewen Design? I think I’d actually keep my job, I like it. If I had to switch, first choice Norm, he’s the chairman of the board and also our family dog, second choice maybe Majo. I like finishing tables and taking pictures, got some good variety. 

What has been your favorite project at Loewen Design Studios?

The one that comes to mind is the lights we built for Crow’s theatre, back when we built lights. We built like 13 huge lights and they decorated them with vines and hung them in their black box theatre for events. And it was a rush because we had just gone to the cottage so it was all hands on deck, everyone helped out. 

Crows Theatre

 My favorite table, it’s hard to say, I really love a table that fits a need well. Delivered an elliptical oval to someone recently who had a built in banquette in a bay window that was shaped so the oval fit perfectly. It was really exciting how well that all worked.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.

I was a semi professional improviser for almost 2 years. That’s kinda neat. I’ve also been trying to learn Spanish for about a year, and it’s going quite slowly.

What did you want to be when growing up?

Anything. I never had a lot of specific goals, I made something different up when someone asked me, but I think I’m starting to get the hang of it. I really want to be a storyteller and a maker, which actually makes this job pretty perfect

What do you like most about your job?

Probably the people I get to work with, it’s an awesome group. We all work hard but everyone also has a good sense of humor, so we have a good time.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I don’t have a lot of it, so usually relaxing is a good attempt, but also I like to write, and play games with friends. OH also I really enjoy a good Lego set.

What was it like growing up with entrepreneur parents?

So it was just kinda life, like I don’t have a different version of growing up to compare it to. It was nice that my parents were home a lot and had a flexible schedule. I can image that wouldn’t be the case as much otherwise, but it was also a lot of what we did as a family was work related, so it had it’s ups and downs for sure.

What would people never guess you do in your role?

Well considering I just said I do everything, probably they’d guess everything. I guess I forgot to include that I get to help load vans for deliveries, which is a fun job. Oh also an answer to both of the last two questions. I am very good at making custom boxes, and I get to do that sometimes.

What was the first table/ object you ever made woodworking 

Okay so it may not have technically been the very first thing I made, but it was right near the beginning, working with my grandpa, well I think he was teaching me, but we made a little red box, attached the walls, put on hinges and a handle, and then my grandma painted it with me. I don’t know if I still have the box, but I kept it for years, I was so proud of it.

What is your favourite table

So up until recently I would have said my rainbow table. I made a table where each plank of wood was a different color than the next, but then now it might be my purple desk. It’s such a pretty desk and my girlfriend has a black desk that matches so I really like the his and hers vibe we’ve got going on. Of the tables we actually offer though I would probably say the Beaumont Parsons in Walnut with an engraving on the top of the leg, I think it’s so pretty and unique.