Spears Shaker Style Desk
This cherry desk was custom made for a customer that wanted a larger overhang on his desk so he could cross his legs while he was at his computer. The overhang was a little more than normal, but I was more than happy to custom built it to suit my customer's needs. This desk has a hand rubbed oil finish. This desk is a perfect example of how I can custom build pieces to suit any of the needs of my customers! Brian Brace Fine Furniture Black Mountain, NC
Long-time member
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Fast shipper
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
Great service
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
Brian Brace grew up in Wells, a small town in Vermont’s Green Mountains, and began his fine
woodworking apprenticeship at sixteen under Master Craftsman William Laberge. After
completing the rigorous 8,000-hour program, he earned Vermont certification in 2000. His
five-year journeyman period took him from Vermont to Naples, Florida, where he crafted
high-end wall units, kitchens, and entertainment centers for multimillion-dollar homes.
Achieving the prestigious title of Master Craftsman, Brian established his own business, a
testament to his expertise and unwavering commitment to his craft. What started as a vision
nurtured in a spare bedroom blossomed into a thriving small shop in Naples before taking root
in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in 2010. It was there that his artistry found its fullest
expression. His signature piece, the Arbor Morris Chair—originally inspired by a live oak tree in
Florida—evolved into a defining design shaped by the Arts & Crafts movement. This influence
allowed Brian to blend traditional and contemporary styles, creating pieces that both challenged
him as an artist and served his clients’ needs.
He believes fine furniture should endure for generations. Each piece he makes undergoes a
meticulous process: selecting the finest lumber, constructing with traditional mortise-and-tenon
joinery to maximize strength and beauty, and finishing with hand-rubbed oil or lacquer. Upon
completion, each work is signed, dated, and branded with both his logo and the Roycroft
Renaissance mark.
His dedication to craft is evident through his affiliation with prominent guilds and his rise to
leadership positions. He became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild in 2016 and
quickly moved into active roles, including serving on the Fair Committee by 2017, and then as
Co-Fair Chair for the Craft Fairs from 2020 -2022. He achieved a significant personal milestone
in 2018 when he was hand-selected and juried into the prestigious Roycroft guild as an Artisan,
realizing a lifelong dream and earning the mark of quality and distinction. His commitment and
mastery were recognized again in 2023 with the distinguished title of Master Roycroft Artisan, a
title reflecting the highest level of dedication to the craft. Further demonstrating his involvement
in the craft community, he joined Piedmont Craftsmen in 2022, a guild that emphasizes high-quality
craftsmanship. Today, Brian continues to refine his craft in the mountains of western
North Carolina, designing & building pieces that tell their own stories through wood.
Achievements & Accolades :
● Certified Vermont Master Craftsman, 2000
● Olga Hirshhorn’s personal finish/touch-up 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 Private
Ryan), 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, 2024
Arts and Crafts
Greene and Greene
Mission
- JP
Joy Page
For Greene & Greene style mirror5.0I love the mirror that Brian made! Working with Brian was such a pleasure. I described what I wanted, gave him the dimensions, and held my breath. The mirror arrived faster than I expected and it is beautiful. The workmanship is extraordinary and the design is exactly what I had in mind. Brian's ability to turn my words into a beautiful piece of art has exceeded our expectations. We have received numerous compliments on this piece. Thank you Brian!
- JI
J I
For Display Cabinet for movie prop Wizard of Oz Witch's Hat5.0I was in need of two high quality, custom cabinets to display my some movie memorabilia. I wanted these cabinets to match some of the finish work in my home and be of impeccable workmanship. Brian did an outstanding job in communicating with me throughout the entire project and exceed my expectations. The cabinetry is a work of art. He also did an outstanding job in installing discrete custom locking mechanisms on the door and museum quality glass. Brian also coordinated ornate brass and wood display signs for my Witch's Hat and Private Ryan Helmet to complete the ensemble.. The job cam in on time and in budget. He even delivered and installed the cabinets, just to make sure nothing was left to chance. Brian bring skill and integrity to his craft and comes highly recommended.
- DT
David Toczyski
For Greene and Greene Coffee Table Birdseye and Walnut5.0Brian did a remarkable job. Generally when I have work done I'm disappointed. I'm extremely picky and I find little things half done. Brian is literally the only person who has ever done work for me with whom I've been entirely satisfied. I asked for a table he often makes, but with several modifications. He would go over those with me painstakingly. When I wanted to change the drawer handle, he mocked up different versions and photographed them on the piece so I could see how they looked. Since I wanted birdeye maple, and the look of the piece would be very dependent on the degree of figuring, he selected boards and sent photos to me so that I could OK them before he continued. He also photographed the construction for me every step of the way so I could give my wife a little slideshow (it was a present- I'm happy to email the powerpoint if you like-> toczyski@cc.ucsf.edu). Even the crate he constructed to ship it in was well-built, sturdier and better constructed than a lot of furniture I've seen. Finally, when I asked what finish he used, in case I ever needed to re-oil it, he offered to just ship me some of it.
- JI
J I
For Display Cabinet for movie prop Saving Private Ryan Helmet5.0I was in need of two high quality, custom cabinets to display my some movie memorabilia. I wanted these cabinets to match some of the finish work in my home and be of impeccable workmanship. Brian did an outstanding job in communicating with me throughout the entire project and exceed my expectations. The cabinetry is a work of art. He also did an outstanding job in installing discrete custom locking mechanisms on the door and museum quality glass. Brian also coordinated ornate brass and wood display signs for my Witch's Hat and Private Ryan Helmet to complete the ensemble.. The job cam in on time and in budget. He even delivered and installed the cabinets, just to make sure nothing was left to chance. Brian bring skill and integrity to his craft and comes highly recommended.
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