Brian Brace Fine Furniture Maker
Master craftsman creates pieces that reflect traditional American design: sturdiness balanced with grace, angles softened with curves, and with special attention to detail.
(828) 777-8184
West Black Mountain, NC
http://www.brianbracefinefurniture.com
Master craftsman creates pieces that reflect traditional American design: sturdiness balanced with grace, angles softened with curves, and with special attention to detail.
Brian Brace, a native of Wells, Vermont, embarked on his fine woodworking apprenticeship at the age of sixteen under the guidance of Master Craftsman William Laberge. Upon successfully completing the demanding 8,000-hour program, he obtained Vermont certification in 2000. His five-year journeyman period led him from Vermont to Naples, Florida, where he specialized in crafting high-end wall units, kitchens, and entertainment centers for multimillion-dollar residences.
In 2000, Brian achieved the esteemed title of Master Craftsman, which paved the way for the establishment of his own business. This testament to his expertise and unwavering dedication to his craft began as a vision nurtured in a spare bedroom and flourished into a thriving small shop in Naples. In 2010, his business expanded further, establishing a presence in Black Mountain, North Carolina. It was during this period that Brian’s artistry reached its zenith.
His signature piece, the Arbor Morris Chair, originally inspired by a live oak tree in Florida, evolved into a defining design influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. This influence enabled Brian to seamlessly blend traditional and contemporary styles, creating pieces that both challenged his artistic boundaries and catered to the needs of his clients.
Brian Brace holds the belief that fine furniture should endure for generations. Each piece he crafts undergoes a meticulous process, involving the selection of the finest lumber, the construction of traditional mortise-and-tenon joints to maximize strength and aesthetics, and the finishing touch of hand-rubbed oil or lacquer. Upon completion, each work is meticulously signed, dated, and branded with both his logo and the Roycroft Renaissance mark.
Brace’s dedication to craft is evident through his affiliation with prominent guilds and his ascent to leadership positions. In 2016, he became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and swiftly assumed active roles, including serving on the Fair Committee by 2017 and subsequently as Co-Fair Chair for the Craft Fairs from 2020 to 2022. Notably, in 2018, he achieved a significant personal milestone by being hand-selected and juried into the prestigious Roycroft guild as an Artisan.
Achieving a lifelong aspiration and earning the distinction of quality and excellence. His unwavering commitment and mastery were once again recognized in 2023 with the esteemed title of Master Roycroft Artisan, a recognition that embodies the pinnacle of dedication to the craft. Furthermore, he has demonstrated his active participation in the craft community by joining Piedmont Craftsmen in 2022, a guild that upholds the highest standards of craftsmanship. Presently, Brian continues to hone his craft in the picturesque mountains of western North Carolina, crafting and constructing pieces that narrate their own narratives through the medium of wood.
Achievements & Accolades
Certified Vermont Master Craftsman, 2000
Olga Hirshhorn’s personal finish/touchup furniture maker
Designed and built display cases for a private Hollywood memorabilia collection, including: the Wicked Witch’s hat (Wizard of Oz), Tom Hanks’ helmet (Saving PrivateRyan), and Christopher Reeve’s cape (Superman)
Southern Highland Craft Guild member, 2016, Roycroft Renaissance Artisan 2018,
Piedmont Craftsmen member 2022
Featured Artist/Craftsman: Groovewood Gallery (2012), Roycroft Renaissance (2018),
Arts & Crafts Home Magazine (2020)
Featured artist for Roycrofters Annual Goodie Box, 2022
Designed and built Greene & Greene style furniture for an original Henry Greene home
in California
Featured in the documentary Gustav Stickley: American Craftsman (2021)
Work published in Arts & Crafts Home Magazine, Fine Woodworking, Old House
Journal, and The Laurel of Asheville
Smithsonian Craft Show exhibitor, 2
Arts & Crafts Homes and the Revival covers both the original movement and the ongoing revival, providing insight for restoration, kitchen renovation, updates, and new construction. Find sources for kitchen and bath, carpet, fine furniture and pottery, millwork, roofing, doors and windows, flooring, hardware and lighting. The Annual Resource Guide, with enhanced editorial chapters and beautiful photography, helps Arts & Crafts aficionados find the artisans and products to help them build, renovate, and decorate their bungalow, Craftsman, Prairie, Tudor Revival, or Arts & Crafts Revival home.