A Chat with Matthew Encina
Our good friend Matthew Encina reached out recently about a project he was working on to redesign his wife's office—we were excited to dive in, and get involved in the process to build a very unique creative workspace. After everything was all finished, Matthew and Ken sat down virtually to talk about the process: the inspiration, the process, and what they learned along the way. In the end, it was a great conversation ranging from wood working tips to workspace design and why your space matters.
Check out the video, and read an edited transcript of the conversation below:
Check out the video, and read an edited transcript of the conversation below:
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=edc8e4c10b6bd95aa9498bd0dff5de90 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=948f79ee3a57cf94cb7d4ed801745691 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=15fa67a412e84150890db7da8395b726 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=27eefd22443daa47b62a615717fe4146 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=907f9e929e9c436e944839cc9740b45e 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=93e0c165d6e322dcd5ab609cb3c63faa 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=3225d26e0f000fe8fe17f218294b61cd 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=2ae5d9caa41971cba3c328c69858cefe 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=30de5291b23e5391f5830c420bf87cca 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=a28931fc171c7d7ed94690f61c262e7a 2250w)
I think for creative people . . . sometimes you just need to refresh your space, your environment, your stimulation.
MATTHEW ENCINA
The Inspiration
Matthew: I think when we first connected, Ken, it was at the beginning of this massive project that me and my wife, Belinda, wanted to do, which is to redo her art workspace that's currently in our living room. When I spoke to you and Sean at the beginning of this project, you guys gave me a lot of good feedback in terms of the design, what to consider, things about finishing wood, woodworking, all of these good things that I didn't know before.
Ken: I thought it was pretty ambitious when we last chatted. Having been a professional in that field before, you know, it's hard to build stuff, especially in a condo. I'm curious to see how you pulled it off.
Ken: I thought it was pretty ambitious when we last chatted. Having been a professional in that field before, you know, it's hard to build stuff, especially in a condo. I'm curious to see how you pulled it off.
Matthew: My wife had been working in a dark corner of our living room. And she was like "You know what, it's not that inspiring to be in this corner. It's too dark." So we wanted to figure out how we can move her closer to the window [while balancing the workspace with the living room] and she's a multi-disciplinary artist, so she has tons of books, references, mediums, paints, all this stuff that we had . . . to store.
Matthew: So, we started doing some research—we found all these cool modular systems. But when we were looking into it, it's like we didn't really love the look of these vertical lines that would be on the wall. And a lot of these were super expensive, like $4,000 or $5,000 and [Belinda was] like, "What if we just build everything ourselves?" I was like, "Are you serious?" It's like, "All right, let's do it."
Ken: I love it. I love it.
Matthew: So we just jumped right in. I started building some concepts out in 3D. And I think when you and I first spoke, Ken, and I shared this, I was thinking about just doing some kind of IKEA hack where we get some IKEA shelves and then just putting some wood top on it and hanging a couple of shelves and some artwork.
Ken: Those look like our wall shelves.
Matthew: Yeah. That was the original. And then I think after a lot of back and forth with Belinda, she saw this and she's like, "You know what? I feel like I need more storage. I feel like I need more shelving. And do you mind if I take it over?" She got so inspired. It turned [into] a completely custom build.
Ken: I used to be a custom furniture maker, and most of my work was clients like you guys where there's some kind of space limitation where off-the-shelf stuff just doesn't work. So your wife has unique needs, and looking at your original goals with the nature of her [multidisciplinary, analog] work, you can't really buy that.
Ken: I love it. I love it.
Matthew: So we just jumped right in. I started building some concepts out in 3D. And I think when you and I first spoke, Ken, and I shared this, I was thinking about just doing some kind of IKEA hack where we get some IKEA shelves and then just putting some wood top on it and hanging a couple of shelves and some artwork.
Ken: Those look like our wall shelves.
Matthew: Yeah. That was the original. And then I think after a lot of back and forth with Belinda, she saw this and she's like, "You know what? I feel like I need more storage. I feel like I need more shelving. And do you mind if I take it over?" She got so inspired. It turned [into] a completely custom build.
Ken: I used to be a custom furniture maker, and most of my work was clients like you guys where there's some kind of space limitation where off-the-shelf stuff just doesn't work. So your wife has unique needs, and looking at your original goals with the nature of her [multidisciplinary, analog] work, you can't really buy that.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=b12733c1039fb41e23919cc84e32df49 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=b517f3771fbf10b7478c7c5c11cf9ffc 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=40ee984962e29e6deb34e1bc5441996a 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=ba27c7ee4468c45387422558bbd8b438 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=cb74d452930a5f8644dee00d84d14d43 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=faa7ee172fb150776f6594fa1827a733 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=8c5bf5609f6c198a76a32bdf10ea1ef7 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=dddd80760272095e60ba2c0a23ffaa13 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=e97ef0c3f56c0ff28b8244f37678f849 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-D1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=76bf40190ba3b0aab3fe4473581fb73e 2250w)
The Process: Woodworking
Matthew: We ended up [choosing] white oak—we like the tone, the color, the strength. We were looking originally at solid wood, but man, that was super expensive.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=efb1af863486261189f387565090ca69 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=42e4e0680e06bab24ef432f8da2230a5 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=b73ed580ee857cbd2c8ed798596ec1d4 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=9f5d85f5e2c7b8c58aed149dcf30dff7 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=a667f5ec478fcc1c19c229639c28b000 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=a1ec992bdeadaea14e6a5f5a845ac5da 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=7cb0be43f4a33cdbfd46ff6a724966d7 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=11e957a028070775e4f93bcd7d49194a 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=f416ff5ef835cdfa415940198e2d457f 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-E1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=944a20e54de56baa50addc59b858a282 2250w)
Ken: We love plywood with our products. Building cabinetry out of solid wood can be really problematic because the wood moves. Your project would have been insane in solid wood.
Matthew: So the next part of it before we started cutting everything, we just got a bunch of artist tape and we put it up on the wall. It's a technique I saw from a YouTuber named Rachel Metz. Even though we had [drawn] everything out in 3D, it's hard to still feel what it would be like in the actual physical space.
Ken: Yeah. And you avoided an epic mistake.
Matthew: So the next part of it before we started cutting everything, we just got a bunch of artist tape and we put it up on the wall. It's a technique I saw from a YouTuber named Rachel Metz. Even though we had [drawn] everything out in 3D, it's hard to still feel what it would be like in the actual physical space.
Ken: Yeah. And you avoided an epic mistake.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=4c63bcb951ceaf3169f9b0f37db7f602 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=89ee69310189df7b691367d05d1f8985 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=9e847e99aa7b12303aaf66c3bb66a2f0 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=84c401ab398a4b4c767ced1fc9c0963e 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=123f775c7036fc063342ddc597301d62 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=5060abc7329bbccc2ec2fcc2edd2f8f9 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=8347cb63105048769407a14b0fd86180 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=cba797d39ce0cd2f11249f4250be3159 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=eac6463d3f3dfa9820c97f53eee94dbc 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-F1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=c652efe285e36fb720e53a6cc648fc39 2250w)
Matthew: Right. But, yeah, so we didn't have any power tools, but luckily my dad did. He came over one weekend and he brought over all of his power tools. I don't have a yard. I don't have a garage. I live in a condo. But I have this tiny patio, and it's just big enough to lay down the 4 by 8 sheets. I got lucky.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=edc8e4c10b6bd95aa9498bd0dff5de90 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=948f79ee3a57cf94cb7d4ed801745691 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=15fa67a412e84150890db7da8395b726 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=27eefd22443daa47b62a615717fe4146 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=907f9e929e9c436e944839cc9740b45e 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=93e0c165d6e322dcd5ab609cb3c63faa 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=3225d26e0f000fe8fe17f218294b61cd 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=2ae5d9caa41971cba3c328c69858cefe 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=30de5291b23e5391f5830c420bf87cca 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=a28931fc171c7d7ed94690f61c262e7a 2250w)
Doing it this way was actually good for us because it made us more resourceful, because we didn't have these tools, we didn't have all the fancy things.
MATTHEW ENCINA
Matthew: After cutting things down, we refined everything using a table saw that my dad had … and there were a lot of imperfections. So we had to buy this cheap planer which is just a way to shave down some layers.
Ken: I've never done that actually. Wow. I'm impressed that you guys were able to do that with the hand plane and not like rip up the veneer. I can see like a nice shaving coming off there.
Ken: I've never done that actually. Wow. I'm impressed that you guys were able to do that with the hand plane and not like rip up the veneer. I can see like a nice shaving coming off there.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=cb735844ecd24798b0266366a80125a4 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=764506504e5956522c5c9afd4da66835 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=d7fe3bf9670511d3b127be6995f06f15 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=dcd841ff7ebb749e52b65b3dd5037f01 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=6d7b9064fe5d47b47dc7ea4912f2b8c2 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=015b53dbc98008320d1b5d5574f3f06c 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=8139cefc118842dff01b176b08a4d104 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=b3620fc4743e5707b6a65893c9279e37 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=f8b586d749db808c93ec7b7878ff11be 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-G1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=66a1ab696a292a8785867e4797481112 2250w)
Matthew: Once we had all of our pieces cut, then we did buy this dowel jig so that we can combine all of our pieces together. We decided not really to go with any screws or anything that might be visible.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=8161a7782440835b56dc1fc7af139853 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=b91b2173ac12b0e6984b9913c208863f 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=f28b5fa2e71bc891f2b48cc4583dabc7 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=5b2858382d5b2010fa39651b405910f8 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=522adb642cfe2a4278e222543651df60 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=29b0d01b310876823ad0192c14afc633 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=12a50b579a45068ba02afc02f7354b25 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=01498ddc9b9460a39579a26de390e21d 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=096cc4df96b14ecec3d29be06b5a6fae 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=20535d12eaf6ab6c139483a185fdeaf7 2250w)
Yeah. It's nice and clean. No visible fasteners, that's what we call it.
KEN TOMITA
Co-Founder
Matthew: And we wanted to hide the plywood edges. I know some people really embrace that like your guy's furniture, which I really like. But I think for this one, we wanted it to look like it was solid wood. So we did a bunch of veneer edging. And then for finishing, we use the Osmo poly oil.
Ken: That is the best.
Matthew: It was awesome. I know you guys had mentioned this … and once I started looking into it and then I started testing it on these pieces of wood you could see here before and then after, my gosh, it's gorgeous.
Ken: That is the best.
Matthew: It was awesome. I know you guys had mentioned this … and once I started looking into it and then I started testing it on these pieces of wood you could see here before and then after, my gosh, it's gorgeous.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=759ef2e51d4fab03987f3a4b46135ae8 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=57c89d21997487ef91f6c0567b8e5331 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=23048bdc59b700cdf2b12a84cdb34671 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=e20fa4bcc816c6fe58efa05160aae2b5 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=03806ff365d5ca644ca643d0d5e3c44c 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=bef9a480cca0030dcda7e188018e7416 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=8446348a6642616ca9c8a9b2eacf9969 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=1d3506fe1c58df7f12035aa29a847a83 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=3649c123b917cb3e83e29f72a5194be1 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-K1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=e7d3afdd1d5e53cffb80217a78ba37fe 2250w)
Ken: It really gives the best look. You know, like, I don't really believe in taking wood and then putting plastic on it, which is basically what spray finishes are. Sure protects it, but then it's not wood anymore. Did you find it satisfying after all that work? Like [finishing] the last step?
Matthew: Yeah. That was very satisfying. We did the the paper sanding technique that you taught me which is just getting a sheet of regular printer paper and then rubbing it down after, and it made it extra smooth.
Matthew: Yeah. That was very satisfying. We did the the paper sanding technique that you taught me which is just getting a sheet of regular printer paper and then rubbing it down after, and it made it extra smooth.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=8161a7782440835b56dc1fc7af139853 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=b91b2173ac12b0e6984b9913c208863f 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=f28b5fa2e71bc891f2b48cc4583dabc7 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=5b2858382d5b2010fa39651b405910f8 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=522adb642cfe2a4278e222543651df60 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=29b0d01b310876823ad0192c14afc633 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=12a50b579a45068ba02afc02f7354b25 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=01498ddc9b9460a39579a26de390e21d 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=096cc4df96b14ecec3d29be06b5a6fae 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=20535d12eaf6ab6c139483a185fdeaf7 2250w)
The thing about oil is you can repair. With a spray finish, you basically have to redo the whole thing. So over the long haul, it's way better.
KEN TOMITA
Co-Founder
Matthew: And then, we decided to mount everything using French cleats. French cleats are just basically an angled piece of wood that you mount on the wall and then you have the counter shape of that mounted on the furniture.
Ken: This is a great tip for the DIY viewers out there. The reason it's so much better for an install like this is imagine picking up this cabinet and you're trying to level. It weighs 100 pounds, maybe. And you're like, "Uh, [move it] a little bit, a little bit like this, or you drop it" or whatever. Instead, you level the French cleat and it's like just a piece of wood, super light, and you can just get it right and then you just put the cabinet on that.
Ken: This is a great tip for the DIY viewers out there. The reason it's so much better for an install like this is imagine picking up this cabinet and you're trying to level. It weighs 100 pounds, maybe. And you're like, "Uh, [move it] a little bit, a little bit like this, or you drop it" or whatever. Instead, you level the French cleat and it's like just a piece of wood, super light, and you can just get it right and then you just put the cabinet on that.
Workspace: The Tools You Need
Matthew: [As we were organizing her stuff] we realized, "Well, we can't just stuff everything in [these drawers] because it's really hard to grab stuff." So she designed this whole drawer system that's modular so that she can have all these little pieces of poplar wood that she can just slide in and out and then divide up all of her pens, pencils and medium.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=593e9d3364538e1778fcf8a5feafb76a 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=c79b8f1679011bfe82bf5287cf775861 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=f27a2569c015b24aa79853f6f6907bd3 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=603f284b30595155cdb832bce745926d 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=12a7616d1746a2e8f9f9f75c2cbda595 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=410950682e2b56c5dae47b19d0de9089 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=6d3ae29038fda00db908f56a4c3647f1 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=573e7040d0488aabb8332115d386b545 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=fd64a88c10d2d805fcd70f8b38d03497 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-L1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=fd9fa6d87f7f2779978d9238798dd953 2250w)
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=8161a7782440835b56dc1fc7af139853 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=b91b2173ac12b0e6984b9913c208863f 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=f28b5fa2e71bc891f2b48cc4583dabc7 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=5b2858382d5b2010fa39651b405910f8 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=522adb642cfe2a4278e222543651df60 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=29b0d01b310876823ad0192c14afc633 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=12a50b579a45068ba02afc02f7354b25 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=01498ddc9b9460a39579a26de390e21d 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=096cc4df96b14ecec3d29be06b5a6fae 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=20535d12eaf6ab6c139483a185fdeaf7 2250w)
I mean, I love this ... there's no product that exists for this, somebody that uses this many tools and these exact plans.
KEN TOMITA
Co-Founder
Ken: Nice. Wow. That's some expert craftsmanship right there.
Matthew: That's all her. That's all her.
Ken: She's a professional artist, so it's worth it. And then, it slides in so you don't have to look at all that clutter. You know, honestly, that's great.
Matthew: That's all her. That's all her.
Ken: She's a professional artist, so it's worth it. And then, it slides in so you don't have to look at all that clutter. You know, honestly, that's great.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=8161a7782440835b56dc1fc7af139853 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=b91b2173ac12b0e6984b9913c208863f 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=f28b5fa2e71bc891f2b48cc4583dabc7 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=5b2858382d5b2010fa39651b405910f8 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=522adb642cfe2a4278e222543651df60 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=29b0d01b310876823ad0192c14afc633 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=12a50b579a45068ba02afc02f7354b25 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=01498ddc9b9460a39579a26de390e21d 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=096cc4df96b14ecec3d29be06b5a6fae 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fken-A1.png?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=20535d12eaf6ab6c139483a185fdeaf7 2250w)
I've looked at hundreds of workspaces, Matthew, maybe even over 1,000. I've never seen this many pens.
KEN TOMITA
Co-Founder
Matthew: Oh, yeah. She collects them.
Ken: Record holder!
Ken: Record holder!
Balancing Minimal with Character
Matthew: This is everything. So we installed these cabinet drawers for everything. There's a few things we kept visible like the books just because they look beautiful. They add some color. We displayed a couple of the brushes, put a few pieces on top of the desktop. But it's mostly clean.
Ken: And I really like how it's clean and modern, but there's still like a lot of warmth. And I think the minimalism of the design makes it so the objects you put on that really stand out. I've always liked that, you know, when you mix old and new. If it's just all modern, it's too cold.
Matthew: We wanted to put a bunch of plants in here. We wanted it to break everything up with these, like, nice organic shapes and just real life inside.
Ken: I love the vines because it kind of breaks up those horizontal lines. I like that brass planter too.
Matthew: We wanted to put a bunch of plants in here. We wanted it to break everything up with these, like, nice organic shapes and just real life inside.
Ken: I love the vines because it kind of breaks up those horizontal lines. I like that brass planter too.
Matthew: Our accent colors outside of the natural wood was brass and black. So we just wanted to add that accent and be consistent with that throughout where we're not using too many materials, but just enough where there's a nice balance of primary, secondary, and tertiary material or color.
Ken: So you guys are cheating because you're not like true DIY because you're professional designers, just DIY on the fabrication. You're not like 100% DIY.
Ken: So you guys are cheating because you're not like true DIY because you're professional designers, just DIY on the fabrication. You're not like 100% DIY.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=edc8e4c10b6bd95aa9498bd0dff5de90 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=948f79ee3a57cf94cb7d4ed801745691 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=15fa67a412e84150890db7da8395b726 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=27eefd22443daa47b62a615717fe4146 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=907f9e929e9c436e944839cc9740b45e 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=93e0c165d6e322dcd5ab609cb3c63faa 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=3225d26e0f000fe8fe17f218294b61cd 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=2ae5d9caa41971cba3c328c69858cefe 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=30de5291b23e5391f5830c420bf87cca 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=a28931fc171c7d7ed94690f61c262e7a 2250w)
We look at it every day. With a lot of those things, it's just like figuring out the details, what we want to display, what's gonna represent us and her, and what's nice enough to show, and then what wants to be tucked away.
MATTHEW ENCINA
A Workspace That's Just Right
Ken: So one thing that I think is unusual about this workspace [is the depth]: eighteen inches is very narrow … it's not very deep at all for a desk. How does she feel about that as a workspace having used it?
Matthew: Oh, she loves it. She's only been working in it for about two and a half weeks now, but having a very long and narrow space is pretty good because she can be on her computer here in the middle, she can slide that out of the way, she can have all this real estate on the left and right.
Ken: Oh, interesting.
Matthew: Oh, she loves it. She's only been working in it for about two and a half weeks now, but having a very long and narrow space is pretty good because she can be on her computer here in the middle, she can slide that out of the way, she can have all this real estate on the left and right.
Ken: Oh, interesting.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=c2b10c36b478b34720a1d8296a47b577 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=69b3183a91a86ebc02274ed1c888d844 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=f06a38513818a13526fc69a141a08b01 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=f1f189f4d37d2db9d6a1b497e724ce7e 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=e5a9fefe6bbb44a7849e8b1c1ed2eaf4 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=ff3669835be75c2377033433743fbff9 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=4423568e29a3688aac3c5d59300df9b2 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=d659112f74762c3e255983c03f236524 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=9bb844249a9d62021383962ea281b1e0 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-W1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=8f38cfab554348adc5e0ac0bd2d45787 2250w)
Matthew: Right now, she's working on an illustration where she has a lightbox that she's drawing over a sketch on, and then she has her computer to the right side and then a bunch of different material because it's a mixed media project.
Ken: When we originally designed that small desk pad, we picked the material because it's premium, but also because it slides easily. So our intention was that it slides forward and back. But she's going left to right. It's kind of exciting. She's utilizing our product in a way I've never seen before. We built that because we noticed people do that a lot and they usually just [bulldoze all their stuff out of the way]. But if you have the whole pad, it can kind of quickly move back and forth.
![](https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 200w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 300w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 500w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 700w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 900w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 1100w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 1300w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 1500w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 1800w,https://siteleaf.grovemade.com/uploads/grovemade-desk-shelf-system-animation-C4.gif 2250w)
In The End: An Inspired Workspace
Ken: So how do you think the space has impacted her work and then you as well? Can you articulate how it feels different?
Matthew: Well, I think it's because of the contrast of living in the sawdust and construction for a couple of weeks and now having this relief of everything's organized, everything's put away, and because we have all of these plants in here, it just feels very fresh. And it has this definitely more uplifting and positive vibe in there.
Matthew: Well, I think it's because of the contrast of living in the sawdust and construction for a couple of weeks and now having this relief of everything's organized, everything's put away, and because we have all of these plants in here, it just feels very fresh. And it has this definitely more uplifting and positive vibe in there.
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=aad169d75dc2ce7e845b0973d74ceaac 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=1bd98260603b5dc3a52f57fe300ef3df 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=41f8cc226853216ed8fa51317cc88668 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=71dde990454f2678e1121576e804a349 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=033e8497a7952686755d6d0d543e1256 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=30725e376b9661670cac376fcc935ee6 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=b9256b05ef67609ea4c840c0d801274e 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=1d6ad2c8df43b8b54f3c9d258bd06ad6 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=25664829ba7955c97e245f5f4c74789c 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-X1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=d32cfd20d6f240e9009e944a16a7d4aa 2250w)
Ken: I wanna circle back to why you guys decided to do this, you know. If you go back to, like, your pure motivation, and you got this kind of result where it's uplifting, but why does that matter to you, you know, as a creative?
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=edc8e4c10b6bd95aa9498bd0dff5de90 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=948f79ee3a57cf94cb7d4ed801745691 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=15fa67a412e84150890db7da8395b726 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=27eefd22443daa47b62a615717fe4146 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=907f9e929e9c436e944839cc9740b45e 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=93e0c165d6e322dcd5ab609cb3c63faa 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=3225d26e0f000fe8fe17f218294b61cd 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=2ae5d9caa41971cba3c328c69858cefe 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=30de5291b23e5391f5830c420bf87cca 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fmatthew-encina-A1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=a28931fc171c7d7ed94690f61c262e7a 2250w)
If you have the same environment, if you have the same stimulation, you're probably going to just keep doing the same work.
MATTHEW ENCINA
Matthew: And that's okay for some people. Some people can stay focused. They can just show up and do the work. But I think her and I are quite similar where, you know, every couple of years or every couple of months, depending on where you're working, you just want to mix it up because that shock, working in a different space or, you know, changing one or two things, and it could be as little as changing a desk, it has a huge impact on how you perceive your approach to work.
It's like every time I clean my place, or every time I organize something it's like, "Oh, now nothing is in my way. Now, I can just do the work."
Ken: Well, this project, I mean, the technical difficulty, I'm, like, blown away. I can't believe you guys did this.
Matthew: The courage is all on her because for me, when I go into any project … I like to mitigate all the ways that could possibly go wrong. But then, you know, after a little bit of research, I'm like, "Okay, I feel confident. I'll go do this." And for her, once she sank her teeth in it, once she realized like, "Oh, this is my space, I can build it how I want to. Let me see what we can design. Let me see what's out there." So it was really her that pushed us both off of the cliff of jumping in and say, "Let's make it a big project."
It's like every time I clean my place, or every time I organize something it's like, "Oh, now nothing is in my way. Now, I can just do the work."
Ken: Well, this project, I mean, the technical difficulty, I'm, like, blown away. I can't believe you guys did this.
Matthew: The courage is all on her because for me, when I go into any project … I like to mitigate all the ways that could possibly go wrong. But then, you know, after a little bit of research, I'm like, "Okay, I feel confident. I'll go do this." And for her, once she sank her teeth in it, once she realized like, "Oh, this is my space, I can build it how I want to. Let me see what we can design. Let me see what's out there." So it was really her that pushed us both off of the cliff of jumping in and say, "Let's make it a big project."
![](https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=200&s=a3fa7eddd25b3f35043933ff4179ad65 200w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=300&s=25452a05abd2739c0893fcdfad583a09 300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=500&s=cbd1c9749dd3124c139d1760d655d13d 500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=700&s=61e2cc4154ac042bebce255d1b2fb358 700w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=900&s=abb7cd72022946ceda05985992028f8f 900w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1100&s=6d29560a3930c50e1b96d5f4fe41a564 1100w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1300&s=63eba75bbfbd87d6b557d731137f4123 1300w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1500&s=d2966f8c33bc33b85b895ede5753ca67 1500w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=1800&s=b523d71f68528f7bc35b32bf985a1feb 1800w,https://grovemade.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fsiteleaf.grovemade.com%2Fuploads%2Fgrovemade-matthew-encina-interview-Y1.jpg?auto=format&ixlib=python-1.1.2&w=2250&s=f948adc640e688ae0a46ff81c932fe44 2250w)
Ken: Have you collaborated with her creatively before?
Matthew: Yeah, absolutely. Belinda and I met at work [in 2010], so we kind of can understand where the other person's going to think before they even arrive there. And so we just learned how to communicate and know that when we're stepping on the other person's toes and to back off and, you know, know when to release control, and then where to give it because both her and I care about different things.
Ken: I love it because when it works well, which is hard, but if it works well you get a kind of a combination of you two, manifesting itself in the space, and it's probably better than either of you on your own.
Matthew: Yeah, absolutely. Belinda and I met at work [in 2010], so we kind of can understand where the other person's going to think before they even arrive there. And so we just learned how to communicate and know that when we're stepping on the other person's toes and to back off and, you know, know when to release control, and then where to give it because both her and I care about different things.
Ken: I love it because when it works well, which is hard, but if it works well you get a kind of a combination of you two, manifesting itself in the space, and it's probably better than either of you on your own.
Wrapping Up
Ken: Cool. Well, congratulations. Someday we'll get together for a drink. Maybe in a couple of years.
Matthew: In a couple years I know we can see each other again in person. It would be great to have you over and it'd be cool to actually come up to the shop and check all that stuff out.
Ken: Matthew, it's great to chat with you.
Matthew: Yeah. Likewise, Ken. Man, it's really fun and thanks for believing in us, supporting us. and giving us support throughout this project.
Ken: That was inspiring. Have a good weekend, man.
Matthew: Yeah, you too. Thanks, man.
Matthew: In a couple years I know we can see each other again in person. It would be great to have you over and it'd be cool to actually come up to the shop and check all that stuff out.
Ken: Matthew, it's great to chat with you.
Matthew: Yeah. Likewise, Ken. Man, it's really fun and thanks for believing in us, supporting us. and giving us support throughout this project.
Ken: That was inspiring. Have a good weekend, man.
Matthew: Yeah, you too. Thanks, man.