In 1948, at the age of 15, my grandfather Louis Musante (pictured above) became a journeyman's apprentice near the docks of the San Francisco Bay. Over his work career, he gained more knowledge of the electrical, plumbing, and woodworking trades than most men of any generation.

     I am Erik Mäki - a third generation woodworker, the founder of Board and Block, and Louis Musante is my idol and inspiration. As a child growing up in San Francisco, I spent countless hours in my grandpa's home workshop; learning to cut and hammer and join wood together, using hand-powered tools of a bygone era...and enjoying every second of it. 

    My granpda always used to say "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right." I think this saying holds true more today than ever. In college I started a longboard skateboard company called Mäki Longboards in order to acquire skills as a designer, a budding craftsman, and a first time business owner.

     At the same time, I continued to pursue my ultimate goal of opening my own woodworking studio by working under the guidance of the best mentors across several industries - ranging from home decorative hardware to custom millwork and cabinetry.    

     As a result or my varied experience, over the past 10 years I have been fortunate enough to design, build, and deliver wood products of all kinds to customers and clients across the United States and Internationally. Through Board and Block, I continue to work with private clients, architects, and designers to create thoughtfully designed, carefully crafted furniture and case goods around Southern California. I enjoy taking the time to learn about my clients in order to better understand and satisfy their needs. Whether you have a specific project in mind, or just want to learn more about the process of working together, don't hesitate to get in touch with me and my team.

"Let's build something great together."

-Erik Mäki