Dominican Wild Wood
The maker

Meet José Luis.

From a campo in Gaspar Hernández to Kite Beach, and now a workshop full of Dominican hardwood. Every piece is built by hand in Cabarete.

  • Traditional techniques
  • Modern design
  • Local materials
  • Custom solutions
Chat with José Luis
José Luis
Born inGaspar Hernández
ProFormer professional kiteboarder
2-4 wksTypical build time
1 yearCraftsmanship warranty
CabareteWorkshop, visits by appointment
His story

A long road to the workshop.

  1. 01

    Bejuco Blanco

    José Luis was born in Bejuco Blanco, a campo in Gaspar Hernández. He lost his father in a motor accident when he was nine, and the family moved to La Ciénaga, closer to family and to Cabarete.

  2. 02

    Working from nine

    He started out shining shoes for the policemen at the local station. He was a ball boy on the tennis courts at Seahorse Ranch, and he rode horses on the beach, selling horseback tours.

  3. 03

    Kiteboarding

    At a resort in Cabarete he met the man who showed him kiteboarding. He went on to ride professionally and traveled the world with it, then spent about ten years managing properties. Today he owns Cabarete Kite Point, the kite school on Kite Beach, and El Cocotazo Café beside it.

  4. 04

    The first piece

    His wife wanted a wooden entertainment center, and buying one or having it made was far too expensive. So he said he would make it himself. Then came a table, a dresser for one daughter and a full loft bed for the other.

  5. 05

    The workshop

    When the kite school went through a couple of slow seasons, he started making live edge tables, first for the restaurant, with a chainsaw and hand tools. He found a great deal on machinery in New York, shipped it over and set up shop on the land next to his house. Today he has a team working with him and a long list of happy clients.

  6. 06

    Through his hands

    His father was known for being inventive and handy, and he made beautiful furniture too. For José Luis this work is a labor of love.

His family says his father is working through his hands.

Live edge dining table Live edge dining table
Handcrafted excellence

Every piece tells a story of the wood it came from.

See his recent projects
Visit the workshop

See the wood before it becomes yours.

The workshop sits next to José Luis's home. Visits are by appointment: send a WhatsApp message and he will find a time to show you the wood and the pieces in progress.

Book a visit
Start your custom project

Tell us about the piece you have in mind.

Send a message, a photo of your space or a rough sketch. José Luis replies the same day on WhatsApp.

Start your piece See recent projects