David Sipos, owner of Minka-Woodworks, Inc, operates a woodworking shop in Ojai, California. He immigrated to the United States from Hungary and studied furniture-making in Iowa from 1993 through 1995. After his schooling, he gained practical experience by working in a team of three to complete a Japanese-style farmho … Read more David Sipos, owner of Minka-Woodworks, Inc, operates a woodworking shop in Ojai, California.
He immigrated to the United States from Hungary and studied furniture-making in Iowa from 1993 through 1995. After his schooling, he gained practical experience by working in a team of three to complete a Japanese-style farmhouse, or “minka” (which inspired the name of the company) in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. There he discovered and cultivated his love for the simple elegant style of Japanese architecture. He apprenticed under the guidance of several Japanese-trained carpenters and architects over the last 16 years. He attended workshops and worked for companies that specialize in Japanese style architecture. He uses old style wood to wood joinery – true mortise and tenon, dovetail etc. joinery eliminating the need for metal fasteners.
The highlight of his career so far came when he was hired as a carpenter in California to participate in the construction of the largest Japanese style compound outside of Japan, located in the Bay area.

Seven years ago, David decided to open his own shop. He produces one-of-a-kind solid wood heirloom furniture out of the finest materials, builds outdoor post-and-beam wooden structures with elegant modern design, and incorporates his expertise with exceptional craftsmanship to create functional and authentic Japanese interiors.

His gates, garden structures can be seen throughout Ojai, California, in Downtown Los Angeles (Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo), Atlanta, Georgia, and Bar Harbor, Maine.
He is a licensed general contractor in California (#961274)


Please feel free to contact David in case you have a particular piece in mind.