Slate Mills

Slate Mills

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Culpeper shop By LISA G. CURRIE Rappahannock N«w» Staff Writer The 18th Century reproduction desk that won the Middle Street Gallery Wood Show held in October was one piece of furniture creator Mark Pace found he was attached to. “I kept it around for a while,” the tall-broad shoulder woodworker said, running his fingers through his already tosseled hair, looking at a photograph of the desk. Standing amid wood shavings, patterns, nearly complete projects and large machinery in his shop located on East Street, Culpeper, Mr. Pace brushes sawdust from his sweatshirt and jeans and admits his attachment for the piece was “rare.” “I liked that desk,” he said of the tall, secretarystyle desk with three drawers in the bottom and several compartments in the top. The drawers were finished with inlay and brass fixtures. It was sold at the end of the show. “I like making furniture,” he said with a smile, brushing dust from a table. “More than cabinets.” Besides creating reproduction furniture, Mr. Pace is also a well-known cabinetmaker. “I would love to do nothing but build chairs,” Mr. Pace said, standing amid parts of a near-complete walnut chair. “But, there is no line for chairs,” he said with laughter. Though creating furniture is his true vocation, Mr. Pace does custom-cabinetry upon request. Explaining that while people enjoy fine furniture, few are willing to pay the price for its workmanship or wait for its completion. Thus, cabinetmaking, a necessary addition to many homes, supports Mr. Pace’s business. Preferring a picture or already designed cabinet space, Mr. Pace works in materials of the buyer’s choice. Originally of Richmond, Mr. Pace of Slate Mills has come quite a ways since his early days as an educator.

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