The Evolution of www.jlfurniture.com

What began in 1998 as a modest 14-page website grew to 230 pages by 2024, documenting decades of furniture making and creativity.

In 2025, it was time for a fresh start. The entire site was rebuilt from scratch. Here’s a look back at the journey.

1998

Cover of a catalog for fine gallery and custom furniture featuring a black wooden bench designed by Joel Liebman.

1998 — The Beginning

Having a website of my own was the goal, so I started looking for someone local to build one. That search led me to a link at umass.edu. I figured I’d found a college kid looking to make a few extra bucks. Turns out, it was two 13-year-old boys using their father’s email account!

I liked what I saw, the price was right, and I decided to take a chance. I signed up for their “Gonzo Package” — and just like that, Joel Liebman Furniture was online!

Above and below are screenshots of that very first website. Looking back, it’s hard not to smile at how it all began.

Collection of handcrafted furniture including a wardrobe, coffee table, writing desk, hall tree, mission table, ash desk, dining table, CD tower, hall table, small desk, and table set, displayed on a blueprint background.

2000

I asked the boys to add a few more pages to the website, but by then, they had moved on to other things. So, what’s a self-employed furniture maker to do? Well, when you wear as many hats as I do, you just put on another one! This time, it was the student hat again.

I dove into the world of website design, spending countless hours researching, studying, and exploring websites of all kinds. I looked at the good, the bad, and the downright confusing, trying to figure out what made a website work and how I could build one that worked for me. I was learning as I went, and there was certainly no shortage of things to learn!

Below you’ll see the very first incarnation of my website, followed by a slightly revised version. Looking back, it’s fun to see where it all began. It may not have been much by today’s standards, but every journey has to start somewhere!

A website homepage for Joel Liebman Furniture, showcasing custom furniture with a navigation menu including Home, Gallery1-4, and Contact. Features images of furniture pieces: a wooden cabinet, a red desk, a black chair, and a wooden bookshelf, along with a dog named Jasmine, and a promotional banner for the Paradise City Arts Festival.
A web screenshot of a furniture website called JLFURNITURE.COM, displaying various wooden furniture pieces including a chest of drawers, a dining table, a chair, a writing desk, a shelf, and a cabinet, all arranged against a grid background with navigation tabs and a logo.

2024

I considered replacing the 2000 version, but instead carried out a major overhaul. The design changed slightly, the layout was refined, and the navigation was completely redone. I was pleased with the result.

Screenshot of a website page for custom furniture with categories like desks, beds, art deco, consoles, computer, seating, night & end, dining, coffee/hall, dressers, bookcases, and contact. The page features furniture images including desks, an art deco mirror and dresser, audio/video furniture, beds, hall tables, and a wooden cabinet.

And that brings us to 2025 — the year of a brand-new website and the retirement of the old one. I owe that old site a lot. It served me well for many years, and saying goodbye feels a little like selling that old, faithful car that never let you down. You watch it drive away with a little sadness. :(

But there’s also something exciting about a fresh start. Sitting in the driveway is a shiny new model, ready for the next chapter and whatever adventures lie ahead!!!

And speaking of time flying by, those two 13-year-old boys? They finished college a long time ago. Funny how quickly the years pass, isn’t it?.

Website header for Joel Liebman Custom Furniture featuring a vintage wooden sideboard with metal accents.