After serving in the army and completing a tour in Korea, Walter R. Downs Jr. returned home with a clear vision for his future. Determined to learn the craft of fine woodworking, he set his sights on apprenticing under the renowned furniture maker George Nakashima. His persistence was unwavering—he knocked on Nakashima’s door three times before finally convincing him to take him on as an apprentice under the GI Bill.
Walter began his apprenticeship in early 1955, immersing himself in the artistry of woodworking at Nakashima’s studio in New Hope, Pennsylvania. By 1958, he had completed his training and earned the title of journeyman cabinet maker. Among the many pieces he crafted during this period, a dining room table and chairs he built in 1956 stand as a testament to his early mastery. Over the course of a decade, Walter became an integral part of Nakashima’s workshop. He specialized in creating tables and chairs, eventually becoming the lead chair maker in his final years there. He was also present during the construction of the iconic Conoid Studio, lending his skill and labor to the project.
In 1966, after years of honing his craft under Nakashima’s guidance, Walter set out on his own. He established a workshop behind his home in Penndel, Pennsylvania, where he continued to build and refinish furniture for many years, carrying forward the traditions of fine craftsmanship he had learned from one of the greats.
