Fin Cabinetry & Furniture
Elgin, TX 78621
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Fin Cabinetry & Furniture
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Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Dirk Finlay's Bio
Born and raised in Fairfield, CT, Dirk Finlay showed an interest in working with his hands at an early age.
Always eager to take things apart and figure out how they worked. At the age of five, his grandmother gave him a book on how to make fishing lures. Not long after, his mom found the handle of a good sterling silver spoon on the floor of the basement next to the workbench. Weeks later, a sliver spinning spoon was found in little Dirk’s bedroom. The spoon had been hammered, drilled at both ends and a leader and hook had been added to it. (all in unsupervised secrecy!) A true work of art, it now holds a coveted place on the family Christmas tree.
At the age of 12, Dirk won a class competition for building the best Trebuchet. A project that was supposed to be done in miniature, Dirk took on the challenge of making the project full size. He was able to launch pumpkins the full length of a football field and beyond. Then, in Eighth grade, a teacher suggested that Dirk try building a boat. After some research for plans, Dirk and his grandfather (a retired pattern maker) spent a month together planning and building a 13-foot boat. An experience neither of them would ever forget.
After High School, Dirk went to Lynchburg College in Virginia. He also worked for a cabinetmaker during the summers. After some time with the cabinetmaker, Dirk decided he wanted to pursue woodworking to the fullest extent and enrolled in the North Bennet Street School in Boston, MA, the oldest artisan school in the country where students from around the world immerse themselves in the intensive training of a fine craft or trade. He studied both cabinetry and furniture making from some of the most outstanding craftsman in the country. Drawing from the rich tradition of 18th and early 19th century American furniture, and gaining an intimate understanding of the methods and construction strategies used to create high-quality custom pieces. Graduates leave with a full understanding and mastery of cabinetry, furniture making, and architectural millwork, as well as furniture repair and restoration.
When not completely covered in sawdust, Dirk can be found on the open waters mastering his second love, fishing!