People
Dennis
Prieur is a master craftsman with over 25 years of experience
in owning and running a wood flooring business. Early on, he
learned that being truly successful required good communication
and organizational skills, in addition to being a master craftsman.
He is always easy to reach, returning calls promptly. His bids are clearly written and include all pertinent details regarding the proposed scope of work; and he runs his scheduling so that his crews take a minimum of time in your home to get the job done. His crews will work hard to ensure that your life has the least disruption possible.
Dennis visits each project, and speaks often with homeowners to ensure that they are pleased with the progress of their floors. He views each stage with a critical eye so that each floor meets his high standard for quality. Click here to read what homeowners think of Through the Woods.
His equipment and methods are state of the art. An expert in ornate installation, he is an authority on exotic woods as well as custom stains. His favorite projects are those which demand the demonstrating of the finer skills of his craft such as antiquing and distressing, hand cut custom parquets, and ornately patterned floors of exotic woods. Many of their exceptional floors have appeared in prestigious architectural books and periodicals.
Both the Prieurs are strongly interested in historic preservation and love rehabilitating old floors. Dennis uses a gentle hand with these elderly materials, coaxing renewed life and beauty from them. He was the only wood flooring craftsman invited to display and present at the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Renew Tampa, a weekend conference which focused on providing resources for building tomorrow’s ideal environment through architectural preservation and design that is environmentally sensitive. His aim is to deliver more than expected, which has earned him great admiration and respect from homeowners, architects, contractors and interior designers for almost 30 years.
Suzanne Prieur is the Marketing Director and, with a critical eye, oversees quality control. An accomplished designer, she is always glad to consult with you on your project. She keeps a library of art and architecture materials chosen to aid creativity and unique design.As Human Resources Director, she runs a Drug Free Workplace, hiring quality-minded artisans who meet Through the Woods stringent requirements and maintain its high standards. She understands that a homeowner needs to feel comfortable with the people working in the house and chooses craftsmen who are friendly and well-mannered in addition to being highly skilled.
A passionate preservationist, she draws on a vast treasure of historical resources for old house rehabilitation, from period lighting to color consultants. She suggests studying architectural history before so much as picking up a paint brush and recommends several books, magazines and on line articles on the subject.
The Prieurs were drawn to Tampa because of its old neighborhoods with their tree-lined streets and rows of welcoming porches and live in a bungalow built in 1925 in Old Seminole Heights.
Suzanne produces educational events which bring local and national speakers on historic preservation. She lured American Bungalow magazine here to photograph bungalow
s in Seminole Heights, Ybor City and Old Hyde Park in her quest to put Tampa on the map as an historic destination. She produced a documentary film for the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association which played to a sellout crowd at Tampa Theatre. Through the Woods was a key sponsor of this event, as well as the neighborhood home tour.
Our Team
Our Production Manager, Chris, came to us from Michigan where he ran his own successful wood flooring company for many years. After training as an architect, Chris decided that he preferred the freedom of a craftsman in the field, to being confined to an office, and began learning the finer points of the trade.Chris’ architect training sharpened his eye for detail, making him a great fit for Through the Woods. A warm & friendly person, he is a natural leader, always inspiring superior performance from his men. Homeowners have wistfully asked, “Now that my floor is finished, does that mean that Chris won’t be coming to my house any more?”
Lead Installer, Uriel is an accomplished carpenter, employing his talent to ensure that each floor he touches is a work of art. He loves the challenge of creating elaborate borders and intricate inlays, and enjoys demonstrating the precision skill that is required to install a perfect wood floor.
Uriel heads our Custom Carpentry division as well as being the designated King of Stairs!
Homeowners appreciate his Old World manners, often commenting on how much they have enjoyed having him working in their homes.