Photo by Kirth Bobb for The New York Times.
Who is Austen / Morris?
In short, it’s the combined middle names of my two kids. And you might think after spending nearly 15 years in Branding and Advertising I might be able to come up with a more clever name… nope.
But my name is Dennis
I’ve spent the better part of my life studying for and working in Interactive Design, Branding, Marketing and Advertising. I’ve designed countless websites, branded products that appear in national retailers, worked on Advertising campaigns for Fortune 500 companies and led teams of designers along the way.
Today I spend my time building and designing custom furniture. Austen / Morris is a dream to make things with my hands professionally and to share my work and knowledge with others.
Austen / Morris is also very much Vanessa Clement, my amazing full-time sidekick who does everything from design to delivery. She holds a BFA in Product Design from Parsons School of Design, plays Bass in a hardcore band, provides eclectic shop playlists and no you can’t have her—ever.
Press
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“Dennis returned to his childhood passion of building, bringing with him his grown up passion for the world of design. Combining both into the well groomed furniture company, Austen / Morris, we see today.”
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“Meet a carpenter whose thoughtfulness in design reaches down to the very trees he selects to use. Find out his creative process and why he took the plunge, going from a career in advertising to a woodworker.”
– Jeff Swicord, Reporter/Camera/Editor -
“This year, Dennis Turbeville, a woodworker in Washington, used the mobile payment service Venmo to sell his wares, collect payments on a rental property and split personal expenses with family and friends.
He carefully tracks income for his business, Austen Morris Custom Furniture, with QuickBooks software and works with an accountant to make sure everything he owes to the federal government is paid correctly.
But Mr. Turbeville is concerned that a recent tax change intended to crack down on tax evasion by small businesses and those operating in the “gig” economy will mean more paperwork and headaches from the Internal Revenue Service. He is hopeful that if there are any unintended discrepancies, his business will be too small to attract an audit.”
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“We’re thrilled to have Dennis Turbeville, a furniture maker, of Austen / Morris join us. He shares all about his transition from marketing to woodworking and the physical, financial and emotional challenges that come with building a business.”