It all started around 1929 when Frank Mason and his son George, the owners of Mason Manufacturing Company, were approached by Barker Brothers furniture store to create a new line of furniture under the name “Monterey,” that would harmonize with all the ranch houses being built in the Valley. The inspiration provided to the Masons from the furniture company was a poster for the movie Old Arizona, and a reference to a settee that appeared in the movie.
So for the Masons the years between the crash of Wall Street and the start of World War II were not depressing at all. They stayed busy in a large building located in old Los Angeles creating this line of furniture and the hardware that adorned it. Times were good for the Masons until Frank passed away at 68 and George was drafted into the navy in 1943. In 1945 the company was sold, and the Monterey line of furniture faded.
Alder was the wood used most on the original pieces and we stuck with it here. It’s a wood that’s fun to work with and easy to mill. As you see in the photos, we went lighter on the ornamental painting than the original pieces often sported. We did however, choose a crackle paint process as a fun diversion from making sawdust.
The serpentine shapes of the legs, sides, and the door stiles and rails means you’ll get to spend some time away from
