The Art of Living

For many, the allure of solid wood furniture is more than just its beauty—it’s the story behind the pieces and the skilled craftsmanship that goes into making them. For Steven and Kristin Devor, their love for Thos. Moser Furniture began nearly 35 years ago when Steven, then a graduate student, came across an advertisement for the company. Intrigued by the designs, he immediately requested a catalog. That simple act set the stage for a lifelong connection with the brand.

“I knew that one day, I would own at least one piece of Thomas Moser furniture. I loved that it was completely handmade, in the USA, by men and women fully dedicated to their craft,” says Steven.

Over the years, the catalogs, or “dream books” as Steven calls them, continued arriving in his mailbox, further cementing his admiration for the handmade furniture company. For Steven, the catalogs were windows into a world of design that felt timeless and intimate. “It was the beauty and purity of the lines, the way the wood is used to create magnificent pieces of functional art,” he says. Steven adds, “The fact that Thomas Moser himself started as an academic also resonated deeply with me, as that is all I have ever been professionally.”  

The Pasadena Rocker and Omni Clock.

In 2009 he met his wife, Kristin and in 2011 they made their first purchase of Thos. Moser furniture. All three pieces arrived on the same day, a stunning Lolling Chair and Ottoman in cherry with chocolate leather and a walnut Pasadena Rocker. As they prepared for the arrival of their daughter, the Pasadena rocker was placed in the nursery where they could gently rock and soothe her turning the cherished rocker into a keeper of their family’s early years.

L: An 18″ High Stool. R: The Wing Hall Table in walnut.

“We love beautiful objects—fine crystal, art, timepieces, and, of course, furniture,” Steven explains. The couple’s aesthetic leans towards modern, clean, and uncluttered, but never at the expense of warmth or richness. It is this balance—of visual elegance and functional beauty—which makes Thos. Moser furniture so appealing to them and a natural fit for their home. 

Over time, both Steven and Kristin have gifted each other Moser pieces, each item arriving as a surprise. “The Moser pieces are the stars of the show in our home,” Steven notes. The couple has built a collection that blends walnut and cherry wood, appreciating how the pieces develop a patina as they age while providing an unparalleled visual interest to the eye and intrigue to the room.

“There are no misses with a natural material like wood and how each species works together. No one would ever say, all those different colored flowers do not look right together. It is nature, it is natural, and it all works correctly together.” -Steven

The Chaise, Vita Side Cube, and 18″ High Stool grace the Devor’s listening library.

When hosting friends, the Devors often receive comments on the furniture’s comfort and craftsmanship. The smoothness of the wood and the inviting feel of the chairs are always noted. “You’ll never regret buying something beautiful that you can use every day and pass down to your family,” Steven says. And the signature of the craftsperson who made each piece? “It’s the icing on the cake,” he says. “Every piece should be signed for they are works of art— and it’s the first thing we look for when our furniture arrives.”

Left: The Lolling Chair and Ottoman. Top Right: Tom Moser’s Handmade American Flag and Continuous Arm Bench. Bottom Right: A Custom Beacon Box

“You’ll never regret buying something that is beautiful, that you can use every day and can be passed down to your family members.”

At the heart of the pieces that grace their home, it is not just about owning Thos. Moser furniture. It’s about something that will endure— a piece of handmade art that will become part of their life story. It is the sentimental value of their furniture that “is irreplaceable.” “We feel a sense of gratitude towards the craftsperson who made our furniture.” For the Devor’s Thos. Moser continues to offer a timeless antidote and permanence in an age where the passive nature of furniture and home furnishings often overwhelms. For them, furniture made by hand and tells a story deserves a place in everyone’s home. 

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