About

I offer a wide range of custom designed furniture and household objects, from small projects,
like my Barcelona Salt Cellars, to large custom-designed furniture like my midcentury modern bedroom set.

Mark Royko, hard at work in the woodshop.

I started doing basic carpentry work after we bought our first home — an 1891 farm house that forced my hand: At time, the home felt as if it was actively trying to return to the Earth as hard and as often as it could. While my skills were crude, I kept at it, and eventually moved on to building basic furniture and cabinetry. Since then, I’ve expanded my skills (and tools), and now spend most of my time in the shop, designing and building custom furniture and cabinets.

Each quarter, I try to start a new project, documenting every effort from rough cuts to finished projects with video and written posts. By joining my mailing list, you’ll get regular updates as I complete the design, select the wood, make the cuts and attempt to apply the perfect finish.

If you want to own one of these hand-crafted creations, you’ll have the chance to put down a deposit and follow along as your piece is completed. Or, just follow along, as these projects take shape.

FAQs

Where are you located?
I am proudly located in Chicago’s Beverly Neighborhood.

Where do you source your materials?
For years, I loved using exotic hardwoods from Africa and South America, but based on everything I’ve learned, I try to use local sources as much as possible. North American hardwoods are generally preferred. White Oak, Maple, Walnut, Pine and Ash.

Can I afford your work?
While my pricing will never beat IKEA’s, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the value you get from my work. (Compare my prices to say… Thomas Moser (which is awesome. But then again, so is mine.) My furniture will last a lifetime, and is absolutely unique, and built lovingly to your exacting specifications.

Can you customize your work to fit my spaces?
Absolutely. Let’s talk about your space, and your vision. Everything I offer can be built to your specs.

About

I offer a wide range of custom designed furniture and household objects, from small projects, like my Barcelona Salt Cellars, to large custom-designed furniture like my midcentury modern bedroom set.

FAQs

Where are you located?I am proudly located in Chicago’s Beverly Neighborhood.

Where do you source your materials?For years, I loved using exotic hardwoods from Africa and South America, but based on everything I’ve learned, I try to use local sources as much as possible. North American hardwoods are generally preferred. White Oak, Maple, Walnut, Pine and Ash.

Mark Royko Studio

I offer a wide range of custom designed furniture and household objects, from small projects,
like my Barcelona Salt Cellars, to large custom-designed furniture like my midcentury modern bedroom set.

Where are you located?
I am proudly located in Chicago’s Beverly Neighborhood.

Where do you source your materials?
For years, I loved using exotic hardwoods from Africa and South America, but based on everything I’ve learned, I try to use local sources as much as possible. North American hardwoods are generally preferred. White Oak, Maple, Walnut, Pine and Ash.