Former Police Officer Tim McFarland Turns a Therapeutic Hobby into Functional Pieces of Art

A South Bay resident keeping the woodworking tradition strong is Rancho Palos Verdes native Tim McFarland. He started his career in law enforcement, proudly serving in the Redondo Beach Police Department for seven years. It was during this period that Tim discovered the art of woodworking.

“I enjoy the challenge of incorporating nature’s complex beauty into my work.”

Tired of low-quality and cheaply made furniture, he decided to make a wood slab coffee table all by himself. What started as a simple hobby soon became his main source of self-care outside law enforcement.

“I started watching everything related to woodworking on YouTube,” he shares in his garage workshop. “I was particularly drawn to high-end, solid-wood furniture with complex joinery. For several years I continued my passion for woodworking as a hobby, but as my experience grew, so did my tools and machinery.”

Tim’s home workshop would be the envy of any carpenter. On display are handmade wood cabinets, tables and drawers. “Woodworking had become a source of therapy for me,” he says. “My attention to detail and construction in my work kept my mind busy. It challenged me in a positive way. I began posting pictures of my furniture on Instagram, where it received positive attention.”

Tim soon received commission requests from local interior designers, and the positive feedback from his clients pushed him even further into the hobby. As the passion, skill and demand grew, Tim knew he had to make a tough decision.

“I left my career in law enforcement and started making custom furniture for clients full time,” he says. “My wife, Kat, was also pursuing her career in interior design around this time.”

The couple, who met while attending Palos Verdes High School, joined forces to create McFarland Design House, offering interior design services as well as custom furniture orders. “We sell mostly to interior designers but also work with individuals looking for custom furniture pieces,” notes Tim, as Kat comes to join him in the workshop.

“We love working with people who have an appreciation for handcrafted items,” adds Kat, “people who see Tim’s work both as art and heirloom pieces for their homes.”

As high-end furniture uses high-quality materials, the extra care taken to choose the wood means a piece will not only look stunning but will last a lifetime. “I work mostly with hardwoods such as white oak and walnut, which are extremely beautiful,” Tim says.

While some craftsmen avoid knots and “imperfections” in the wood during lumber selection, Tim does not. “I am particularly drawn to these natural elements. I enjoy the challenge of incorporating nature’s complex beauty into my work.”

Like any true artist, Tim enjoys making furniture most when the client gives him some artistic freedom. The authenticity of not only his work but his personality shines through in each of his pieces. Tim’s precision and attention to detail goes into everything he makes. He’s always learning and mastering new skills with each piece of wood.

“I enjoy the challenge of taking an idea and transforming it into a real functional object. If I don’t know how to make something, I will go down the rabbit hole learning how to,” he says. “I keep a journal with me at all times. I am constantly making notes of my ‘wins and failures’ during each project. I reflect on these notes often to keep myself accountable and to continue my growth.”

Next up, Tim and Kat hope to create a line of bespoke furniture, which clients can order through their website. “We want to offer a mini collection that is curated, but the client will have the ability to specify the type of wood, hardware and finish that fits their space best,” says Tim. “If I were not getting paid to make furniture, I would still be pursuing the art of woodworking.”