Janie’s got a bathtub

Nathie Katzoff, owner and founder of NK Woodworking and Design in Seattle, has acquired numerous fans of his work over the years, including Steven Tyler, the singer for Aerosmith. Through his friendship with Tyler, Katzoff donated one of his sculptural wooden bathtubs to the 65th Grammy Awards Viewing Party held Feb. 4 in Hollywood, Calif., to benefit Tyler’s Janie’s Fund that supports young female survivors of abuse.

“It’s a big honor that [Tyler] invited me to auction one of my art pieces at the Grammy’s gala,” Katzoff tells Woodshop News. “For the gala, he just reached out on this, and for me it’s a really cool opportunity. There are a lot of big names associated with this party. They auction about 15 things and we’re one of them, so it’s a big deal.”

Katzoff is known for making elaborate wood staircases, furniture, bathing tubs and other sculptural pieces. The donated tub is called the Kraken Bath and made from sapele mahogany with a glossy finish, then wrapped in hand-forged steel ‘tentacles’ to depict an octopus grabbing onto it.

“The idea is a ship-like bath with this cool mystical sea creature. It was inspired by being here in Seattle, with the new hockey team the Seattle Kraken, and the Pacific Northwest was where the Great Pacific Octopus was discovered. I think everyone here claims that is important. Prior to that it was only in fairy tales with the big octopus taking down the ship.”

Katzoff says his company strives to build aesthetically beautiful pieces that make clients stop in their tracks with awe. In fact, it was one of his architectural staircases that led him to become friends with Tyler.

“Steven Tyler saw one of my sculptural staircases years ago, prior to the pandemic. He was at one of my clients’ homes who has one and was apparently really blown away by it and wanted to tell me over the phone. My client called me one night and put him on the phone and he told me it was so cool. So, then we became friends. He’s continued to stay in touch, and we’ve stayed in touch. He’s been a big admirer of my work.”

Learn more at nkwoodworking.com. 

This article was originally published in the March 2024 issue.