Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Custom Handcrafted Furniture & Cabinetry in Albuquerque
Established in 1974, Ernest Thompson has dedicated over four decades to crafting custom furniture and cabinetry rooted in New Mexico's rich heritage. Our artisans employ historical techniques passed down through generations, blending Native American, Spanish, and regional design traditions into every piece. We specialize in creating heirloom-quality, one-of-a-kind furniture tailored to individual spaces and visions through collaborative design processes. With workshops in Albuquerque, we maintain complete control over production, from wood selection to finishing details, ensuring unparalleled craftsmanship.Our portfolio includes four distinct collections representing over 400 years of Southwestern furniture-making history, including the Southwest Spanish Craftsmen Collection and Taos Collection. We serve clients nationwide, offering personalized service that combines deep expertise with a commitment to preserving regional artistry.
Services
Custom Furniture
Custom Cabinetry
Handcrafted Woodwork
Heritage Design
Regional Style Furniture
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of expertise in Southwestern furniture-making traditions
- Our artisans use historical techniques passed down through generations
- We provide complete customization from wood selection to finishing details
- We maintain full production control through our Albuquerque workshop
- Our designs preserve and evolve 400+ years of New Mexican furniture heritage
Services
Custom Furniture
We create one-of-a-kind furniture pieces tailored to individual spaces and preferences. Our artisans collaborate directly with clients to select materials, textures, and design elements that reflect personal style while maintaining historical authenticity. Each piece combines traditional woodworking techniques with modern customization options.
Custom Cabinetry
Our custom cabinetry solutions offer unlimited choices in wood, hardware, and finishes. We design and build functional storage solutions that also serve as statement pieces, from kitchen cabinetry to built-ins and closets, all crafted to exact client specifications in our Albuquerque workshop.
Heritage Design
We preserve and evolve 400+ years of New Mexican furniture-making traditions through our Heritage Design service. This includes the Southwest Spanish Craftsmen Collection and Taos Collection, which incorporate Native American, Spanish colonial, and regional design elements into contemporary pieces.
Handcrafted Woodwork
Our master woodworkers employ time-honored techniques to create intricate carvings, precise joinery, and unique finishing treatments. Each piece demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship through hand-applied stains, glazes, and distressing techniques that enhance the natural beauty of the wood.
Regional Style Furniture
We specialize in furniture that reflects the unique cultural heritage of the American Southwest. Our designs incorporate elements from Native American, Spanish colonial, and New Mexican traditions while adapting these styles to modern living spaces and functional requirements.
People
Mike Godwin
Owner & Furniture Designer
Mike Godwin has led Ernest Thompson since acquiring the company in 1990. With 35+ years of stewardship, he oversees design and maintains the company's commitment to Southwestern heritage. He also manages the Southwest Spanish Craftsmen and Taos Furniture collections.
Andy Drescher
President and General Manager
Andy Drescher directs Ernest Thompson's operations with expertise in engineering and construction. He leads the team in realizing client visions while improving production efficiency. With decades of experience, he ensures quality control across all custom furniture and cabinetry projects.
Salvador Cervantes
Master Furniture Painter
Salvador Cervantes brings over 23 years of finishing expertise to Ernest Thompson. His artistic approach to staining, glazing, and painting enhances each piece's beauty. He specializes in creating unique surface treatments that highlight the craftsmanship of our furniture.
Rachel Walsh
Master Wood Carver
Rachel Walsh transforms flat drawings into dimensional wood carvings with exceptional detail. Her carving expertise contributes to the intricate decorative elements that distinguish Ernest Thompson furniture. She has refined this craft over many years in our workshop.
Luis Rascon
Delivery Specialist
Luis Rascon has ensured client satisfaction through his friendly service for over 20 years. While primarily responsible for deliveries, he also assists in various workshop tasks, maintaining the company's commitment to quality throughout the production and delivery process.
Questions
What makes Ernest Thompson furniture unique?
Our furniture combines 400+ years of Southwestern heritage with modern customization. Each piece uses historical techniques passed down through generations, incorporating Native American, Spanish, and New Mexican design elements into custom creations.
Can I customize my furniture design?
Yes, we offer complete customization. You can choose wood types, textures, carving styles, distress levels, and finishing details to create furniture perfectly suited to your space and vision.
Where is Ernest Thompson located?
We operate from our workshop and showroom at 4531 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. We serve clients throughout the United States with delivery options available nationwide.
How long has Ernest Thompson been in business?
We've been crafting custom furniture since 1974. Mike Godwin acquired the company in 1990 and has led its growth while maintaining our commitment to traditional craftsmanship and regional heritage.
What collections do you offer?
We offer four distinct collections: Ernest Thompson Collection (transitional/modern), Southwest Spanish Craftsmen Collection (historic Spanish colonial), Taos Collection (rustic simplicity), and Museum of New Mexico Collection (inspired by museum pieces).
Do you offer cabinetry solutions?
Yes, our custom cabinetry solutions include unlimited choices in wood, hardware, and finishes. We design both functional and statement cabinetry for kitchens, baths, built-ins, and closets, all crafted to your specifications.
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Reviews (5)
Rick Plattsmier
Apr 27, 2021
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Custom bed, nightstands, desk, chair and mirror were carved & finished exactly as we'd wanted to match an existing ET chest and hutch. The room is spectacular! Only "oopsie" was that the mirror was supposed to be beveled & wasn't. Not a big enough deal to rate even a quarter star.
Tracy Dominguez
May 29, 2019
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We have yet to see the finished work as they have missed the deadline they promised by over a month! The process has been disorganized and they are bad at communication through the design process and progress. I am hoping that the finished product will make up for the poor experience we have had so far.
Julianne Hancock
Oct 26, 2018
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My husband and I could not be happier with the excellent craftsmanship Ernest Thompson completed when they made two dining chair to match other chairs in our set which is 150 years old. After all were refinished no one could tell which were the new chairs! They are beautiful.
Rebecca Du Mond
Feb 15, 2017
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We ordered four Sombraje turtle backed chairs to match walls in our home. Ernest Thompson used our paint samples and matched the twigs perfectly. Emily was a delight to work with - helping me pick fabric, chair height width, etc. The entire experience could not have been better. We have ordered from them many years ago, and are glad to see that quality custom work continues to have a place in the Albuquerque market. Thanks so very much.
Agnes Lau
Nov 06, 2016
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Working with the staff at Ernest Thompson Furniture has been nothing short of a wonderful experience! From the friendly and knowledgeable help we received from Emily, the showroom manager, to the professional and friendly delivery service from Luis and Gabriel. The staff take pride in the furniture and the work. and well they should! The craftsmanship in the furniture is bar none and is of outstanding quality. They are unique pieces and showcase Spanish and local styles nicely. Anyone purchasing furniture from Ernest Thompson Furniture will be proud to showcase it in their home!
