I'm delighted to present the next installment of my “Spotlight” series. The level of design, creativity, and craftsmanship in Truckee/Tahoe’s residential development profession is simply astounding, and my blog series is intended to showcase the exceptional vision and skill of the colleagues I’ve been fortunate enough to work with during a 25-year career in community development.
Written by John Stewart
Early Beginnings and Career Evolution
In the early 80’s, John McCabe began his career crafting high-end Victorian and colonial homes in the mid-Atlantic region. Nearly 27 years after relocating to Truckee, his passion for the building process led to the founding of Sierra Craftsman. I had the pleasure of collaborating with John on his two spec homes in Lahontan – both designed by Principal Architect Ted Brobst of W|Y Architects - before Sierra Craftsman shifted its business model.
Business Pivot to High-End Cabinetry and Furniture
Now based in Reno, Sierra Craftsman pivoted from building spec homes to a boutique provider of high-end cabinetry, furniture and finish carpentry utilized by many of Truckee/Tahoe’s elite home builders. The business may have evolved but John’s approach to each project remains steadfastly client focused. This process includes open communication among owners, architects, interior designers, and builders to achieve the innovative, unexpected results which define some of Truckee’s finest homes.
Technological Innovation and Relationship Building
Sierra Craftsman utilizes industry-leading technology and processes to achieve excellence in both design and execution. Equally important to technological innovation, though, is nurturing the ongoing relationships with contractors, designers and homeowners which have developed over the course of McCabe’s career.
McCabe’s belief in the process and his focus on continual improvement are Sierra Craftsman’s driving factors; "Advanced technologies, automation, and robotics will never accomplish what the skilled craftsman at Sierra Craftsman do, but they can and will always complement our efforts, and help to improve our quality, efficiency and the speed in which we do it."
Strong Support and Dedication: The Sierra Craftsman Commitment
What Sierra Craftsman pursues in their work is an architecture of restraint that engages the senses, connecting owners to place and to themselves. Indeed, the way something looks, feels and sounds is just as crucial as how it operates and withstands the test of time. This is especially true for cabinetry, which often defines a home’s aesthetics and must survive a lifetime of continued use.
Recognizing that budgets can vary significantly from client to client, Sierra Craftsman offers cabinetry, furniture, and design and build services that range from custom to semi-custom to modular. Regardless of the product, John’s strong customer support network and dedication to his staff are just a part of the guiding values that have helped Sierra Craftsman to remain a relevant force within Truckee/Tahoe’s building profession. The full line of products and services can be seen at sierracraftsman or in their Reno showroom.
