Handmade Windmill Stool – Flat Pack Walnut & Steel Bar Stool | Artisan-Made, Sustainable Furniture

My name is Brian Kelly, and Old Tree started with a simple love for making things by hand. I built my first chair as a kid using alder branches I cut down myself, bolted together, and wrapped with jute rope in my dad’s shop. That early spark never really left me. I went on to earn a degree in forest products, not entirely sure where it would lead, but eventually found myself back in the shop—this time at a local maker space learning CNC machines. That’s where I designed my very first bar stool, the Windmill Stool, which is still my best seller today.

I opened an Etsy shop and began shipping stools across the country. Before long, my work was showing up everywhere from breweries and coffee shops to family homes. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of making everything from mid-century chairs to hand-carved kitchen cabinets to massive conference tables built with salvaged brass propellers. Through all of it, one thing has remained constant: I love designing and building furniture that people truly live with.

Today, Old Tree Furniture is based in Panacea, Florida, after starting in Sandpoint, Idaho back in 2014. I design and build each piece with the same care and attention to detail that first drew me to woodworking. Walnut has become my favorite material—its depth and warmth always seem to bring a piece to life—but I also work extensively with metal. Combining the two gives me the freedom to create designs that feel both timeless and strong, with a balance you won’t find anywhere else.

To me, furniture is functional art. It does more than provide a place to sit or gather—it sets the tone of a room and becomes part of people’s lives. That’s why I treat every project as personal, whether I’m building a single stool or an entire custom kitchen.

My mission with Old Tree is simple: to create furniture that feels intentional, looks remarkable, and lasts for generations.