Rob Bennett, a cabinetmaker living in Terre Haute, specializes in faithful recreations of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and other classic Craftsman designs – and also does a fair amount of repair and restoration of antique furniture. His firm, House of Yesteryear, has a modest site that he markets his new items through (including a few items that integrate Motawi and Van Briggle art tile); pay special attention to such details as his Victorian fretwork – it may be the kind of decoration that the A & C movement rebelled against, but it is indicative the level of detail that shines through in all of Bennett’s work. Pictured is Bennett’s newest project, a beautiful 10-foot long Art Nouveau dining room cabinet.
Above posted 2005; addendum as of 06.30.08:
Apparently, Mr. Bennett is either a scam artist or a very, very poor businessman; as the comments on this thread – and a half-dozen emails I’ve received from unhappy clients – attest, he’s taken the money & run, and his website, linked above, is now down. If anyone can help get in touch with this fellow, and any guild or trade association he may be involved with, I’m sure his would-be clients would be very appreciative.
Please forgive my intrusion. My name is Lynn Arbuckle. I live in Chandler, Arizona. Recently, I was in contact with Mr. Rob L. Bennett, ostensibly the owner of “House of Yesteryear Furniture” (listed on your website), in Terra Haute Indiana. I was wondering if you are acquainted with him, possibly through shows or networking with other furniture-makers?
I have been trying, thus far in vain, to retrieve a $400 payment (check) I made to him approximately four months ago as payment for an arts & crafts, Mackintosh-styled, oak, shelf. He now fails to answer phone calls & emails. I have mailed a final demand letter to him. He is now completely incommunicado (started about the time delivery was due), and appears to have absconded. I have reported him to the Central Indiana BBB and the state Attorney General’s Office.
I was hoping that some sort of word-of-mouth campaign might jar him into honoring his commitment on this commission.
Anything you might do would be immensely appreciated. I’m afraid this whole ordeal has soured me on any future Internet transactions.
Regards,
Mr. Lynn V. Arbuckle
2080 W. Maplewood St.
Chandler AZ 85248
I, too, apologize for the intrusion, but Mr. Bennett also has absconded not only with my cash, but also with a the very detailed pieces of fretwork that he re-created for us from a photo of our 1870s home. I have the photos of the pieces he made for us, but after a year and a half of begging for their delivery to us, we have nothing to show for our large amount of money spent to re-create them. Please help me get in touch with Mr. Bennett.
Regards,
Carla Minosh
803 Jackson Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
We too are actively pursuing Rob Bennett for non-delivery of goods. We have reported him to the FBI internet crime division. He has been reported by others to the BBB as well. We encourage anyone with pertinent information on him to contact the authorities.
I was able to find his wife’s email – if you search for rob bennett in his home town, you’ll find references to his family, and his wife’s employer. she did not respond to me when i emailed her – politely – asking for his contact information.
I too have been taken by Rob bennett
I once remember that his brother in law was also a craftsman his shop is centenial craftsman 812 251-6695
I have left msg thei the brother in law but to no avail
Having ordered and received two large pieces from Mr. Bennett, but only after much prompting and cajoling, I can attest that his work is quite nice. Sadly, after a good series of correspondence, I’ve come to the conclusion that his delinquencies are not malicious, but secondary to some sort of personal problem (i.e., psychological, addition, etc.). I can’t be for certain in this supposition, but our correspondence and interaction did not suggest an active motive to deceive. It’s a shame that his business appears to have floundered, if not deceased altogether, because he really does have carpentry talent and was one of the only mid-level makers that I know of producing pieces in the Mackintosh style. I can only hope that whatever might be his issues that he rehabilitate his work and reputation.
I am very sorry to hear these statements. Rob made six pieces for me at a very reasonable price and was always quite kind. I never had any problems in my dealings with him. I can only hope that he is struggling with some personal challenges and will make right what appears to be wrong and start his business again-he is very talented and it would be a great loss.
Best Regards,
Bill Miller
4653 N. Lawndale Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
He got me too I also contacted Indiana attny general.Bill Purcell oregon city,ore.
I own the piece of furniture pictured above. Rob Bennett made it custom for me. I also have about 10 other custom designed pieces from him, all done at very reasonable prices and all beautiful and cause amazed appreciation when visitors see them. I have worked with him for about 6 years. I am distraught to read these comments about him. He is a sincere, kind, gentle person–perhaps with some of the quirks of the ‘artist’ about him, but always dealt honestly and responsibly with me. I just wanted to add this to the comments.
Myrna- You are fortunate to have gotten in on the early part of his ‘career’. I’m sure in the early days many people were happy with the money Bernie Madoff made for them, too.
I was just checking back to see if there was any change on Mr. Bennett’s status. I still believe that his business suffered from something possibly out of his control. I suspect mental illness, which is sad as it robbed a fine craftsman and simultaneously left numerous financially injured individuals in its wake. I can only hope that Mr. Bennett receives some sort of treatment and rehabilitates his talent (and he really was very talented).