About Us

Our Friend

On December 8, 2001, long time Wood Designs employee, Tony Rutledge, was killed by a drunk driver. Tony was an amazing young man who touched many lives. He was always willing to lend a hand, help a stranger. He worked very hard and was an asset to our company. We will miss him deeply.

Our Family

Wood Designs, Inc. founded in the summer of 1998, shortly after discovering we were soon to be new parents. We wanted to raise our daughter and work side by side. At the time, Kandas was employed in Houston, as a buyer for a mid-sized chain of sporting goods stores. Shane was a contractor, designing and manufacturing for a well known furniture store. Tired of being surrounded by concrete, spending hours each day commuting, we longed for a simpler life.

We downsized ourselves right out of corporate America and straight into the heart of Texas. Montgomery County, that is, birthplace of the Texas flag. We purchased a small cottage just outside Sam Houston National Park, surrounded by Lake Conroe, and the tall pines for which this region of Texas is named. Our beautiful baby, Dorothy, joined our family soon after.  Today, we live in the city of Conroe, Texas and our shop is in New Waverly.

Our Philosophy

After making furniture for big companies, always building for someone else, Shane longed to once again enjoy his work. Experiment with color and lines. Renew the creative spirit that inspired him to build a roll top desk from scratch at the age of 19. We like to travel throughout Texas visiting old towns and museums. Shane found new inspiration from America’s pioneers, especially the pristine simplicity of the Shakers.

Our Furniture

Using only the highest quality ponderosa pine and domestic veneers, Shaka Studios replicates the traditional craftsmanship of Colonial and Early American furniture makers. Our primitive multi-step painted finish is distressed and crackled to mimic centuries of wear. The pristine simplicity of our American Colonial and Shaker-style furniture is timeless.

We hope that you enjoy website. Many thanks from our family to yours...

The Rodarte Family