Testimonials

“We have had the pleasure of working with Chay Norton on several projects. Chay is a true craftsman who has produced pieces of work that far surpassed our expectations. We have asked him to do the impossible and not only did he meet the challenge but the final product was a piece of art. He is dependable, conscientious and talented. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone. He takes pride in his work and is a perfectionist. We are lucky to have his pieces work in our home.” —Judy Keehn, Bainbridge Island, Washington.

“We love, love, love the end tables. They really punctuate the room with classic elegance. Perfect in every way.” —Bonnie Mackey, Bainbridge Island, Washington.

PRESS

West Sound Magazine, Deits Home

History

Hi. My name is Chay Norton.  I was born and raised on Bainbridge Island and began building furniture as a kid in my dad's workshop.  I love woodworking because it is physical, creative, and because wood is a beautiful, dynamic and renewable material.  Here is brief overview of my career:

I graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1997 and received a BA in English Literature from Western Washington University in 2002.  I discovered modern dance in college, and I pursued it to New York and finally Seattle where I spent two years as a principal dancer for the Crispin Spaeth Dance Group. 

I began my professional woodworking career in 2005 working along side my childhood friend and exceptional craftsman Andres Mills of Genesee Woodworking Company in Seattle.  When I was ready to move back to the Island I joined the crew at Smallwood Design and Construction where I worked as a finish carpenter/project manager for several years.

In 2008 my wife Kelley Calhoun and I joined the U.S. Peace Corps and served as agriculture and natural resources management volunteers for two years in the little village of Firgoune in the Republic of Niger in West Africa.  The experience was amazing and transformative and has influenced my lifestyle and business pursuits in several ways.  I focus on responsibly utilizing the incredible natural resources available here in the Northwest i.e. Douglas Fir, Cedar, Big Leaf Maple, Madrone, Alder and so on.  I believe that human relationships (personal and professional) are more important than money.  Furthermore I want to provide for the community that provides for me by sourcing materials from locally owned businesses.

In March of 2012 I was recruited to manage the woodworking side of Coyote Woodshop on Bainbridge island, a local sawmill and custom furniture manufacturer.  There, under the tutelage of renowned sculptor and furniture maker Jaap Romijn, I was immersed in furniture design, joinery, and incredible local wood. Tons of beautiful wood grain past beneath my hands during my three year tenure, and I enjoyed the privilege of working with many amazing people.  I owe a debt of gratitude to David Kotz, Drew Reynolds, Alan Vogel, and Andrew Kirkby.  It was a great ride!

I founded Norton Woodworking in March of 2015 in order to continue to progress as a woodworker, to search out new challenges, to try things that I have never done before.  This is what keeps life interesting for me. In 2022, after 7 exciting years of custom woodworking, I joined resources with my brother, the amazing Kelly Norton of Cove Cut LLC. Together we are able to take on larger, more complex challenges and respond more quickly to the needs of our clients.

 I have a fully tooled wood shop, I offer digital 3D design services, and I collaborate with other woodworkers, metal-smiths, architects, designers, and tradespeople.   I'm ready for all challenges large and small.  

I live on a small farm with my wife and two sons.  We raise vegetables, chickens and dairy goats.  

A minimum of 5% of my profit goes to the Firgoune Grain Bank Cooperative in Firgoune, Niger which provides subsidized grain to over 1,000 people in one of the poorest countries on the planet.