The Story of Flathead Studios

The Origin Story

Flathead Studios was formed by Michael Deimen, after retiring from a rewarding career as a furniture designer, working with some of the largest furniture manufacturers in the country. 

His creative impulse emerged early on, as he found himself drawing, whittling, wood carving, forging metal, and making furnishings in his early teens. He went on to study Industrial Design at the University of Michigan's School of Art and ultimately graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Industrial Design. From there, he began working as a designer for Steelcase, Inc., at the time, the largest manufacturer of office furniture in the world, and never looked back.

Following a career move to Northwest Ohio, and the purchase of a new home, he had a shop built on the family property. His beautiful wife Mary kept hinting that she'd like a new dining table, something interesting and unique. Their home is surrounded by 100 foot tall white and red oaks, hickory, maple, and bass trees, and these became the inspiration for his first live-edge table.

After completing that first project and seeing how much Mary loved the piece, he began considering other designs, and with her encouragement and support, decided it was time to bringing Flathead Studios to life .

Michael and Mary and the Inspiration for the Flathead Studios Logo

Michael and Mary met in 2003 in Jasper, Indiana while he was working as a Senior Industrial Designer at Kimball International and she was working for a local firm in outpatient physical therapy. They married in 2006 and currently live with their two cattle dogs, Heidi and Akira, and their two cats, Panther and Elizabeth. In their free time, they enjoy hiking with the dogs, kayaking, traveling, and meeting new people.  They also make a point of attending regional art fairs whenever possible to meet other creatives and gain inspiration from their work. Mary is now a Myofascial Release and Reiki practitioner and owner of Advanced Healing Myofascial Release & Wellness in Angola, Indiana. Much of the artwork that adorns her studio was acquired at those art fairs. They have three children, (two sons and a daughter), who also live and work in the Midwest.

As you have likely already guessed they are avid animal lovers. Mary in particular, has spent over two decades in animal rescue, adoption, and abuse/neglect. She even treats animals at her practice. As it happened, their cat Panther was a stray living in the woods surrounding their new home. He was initially fearful after having lived so long on his own, but it wasn't long before Mary was able to convince him that he had finally hit the jackpot with the Deimen clan. He has been an important part of the family ever since, initially bonding with Michael and spending time in his studio as he worked.  Ultimately, Panther became the inspiration for the Flathead Studios logo, (see above), He has a tendency to render his disapproval via this signature 'flathead' profile. Some may also notice that in the logo, part of his left ear is missing. This is a common indication that a stray or feral cat has been captured, spayed or neutered, and released back into their environment. The  left ear is typically "tipped," in this manner so people will know they can no longer breed and require no further intervention. The Deimens are passionate about animal rescue and adoption and plan to donate a portion of all sales to each customer's preferred animal rescue organization.