“The pieces that I’m building, if they’re going to be around long after I’m here, it’s nice to be able to have the whole story of where it came from.” 

Brian Brace

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From his workshop in the mountains of western North Carolina, Brian Brace crafts fine furniture designed to endure for generations. His pieces are built with care and conviction - each board selected for its grain, each joint cut with precision, and every surface hand-finished to reveal the natural depth and warmth of the wood. For Brian, furniture is more than function; it is a record of place, craft, and time.

Growing up in Vermont’s Green Mountains, Brian began his journey into fine woodworking at just sixteen, apprenticing under Master Craftsman William Laberge. After completing a rigorous 8,000-hour training program and earning certification as a Vermont Master Craftsman in 2000, he spent several years honing his skills in Florida, creating bespoke cabinetry and furniture for private clients. What began as a small venture in a spare room evolved into a thriving studio in Black Mountain, North Carolina, where his commitment to craftsmanship has become deeply rooted.

Brian’s signature piece, the Arbor Morris Chair, was originally inspired by a live oak in Florida and reflects the ideals of the Arts & Crafts movement. His practice blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, creating pieces that challenge him as a maker while responding to the needs of his clients. Every piece is constructed with mortise-and-tenon joinery for strength and longevity, then finished with hand-rubbed oil or lacquer. Each work is signed, dated, and branded with both his maker’s mark and the Roycroft Renaissance seal, a symbol of quality and authenticity.

Sourcing his material is as integral to the process as shaping it. Brian works almost exclusively with local American hardwoods, often sourced from fallen or aging trees. He values older timber for its tighter growth rings, which provide greater structural stability and beauty - qualities essential to furniture meant to last a century or more. Whether it’s white oak, cherry, or maple, the story of each tree continues through his work.

His dedication to the craft has earned him recognition as a Roycroft Master Artisan, North Carolina’s only recipient of the title, as well as membership in the Southern Highland Craft Guild and Piedmont Craftsmen. His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Craft Show and featured in numerous publications, including Fine Woodworking, Arts & Crafts Home Magazine, and Old House Journal.

Brian’s philosophy and approach to material also feature in the AHEC’s environmental documentary Forested Future, premiering this November, which follows the people and communities practicing harmonious forest stewardship and harnessing the regenerative power of nature. His story captures the essence of the craft tradition - an understanding that every tree, every joint, and every finish contributes to a narrative that extends far beyond the maker’s lifetime.

Today, in his Black Mountain studio, Brian continues to design and build furniture that celebrates the enduring value of American hardwoods - honest, sustainable, and made to be passed down. His work reminds us that the finest furniture carries not only the marks of its maker, but also the story of the forest from which it came.