A Conversation with Custom Furniture Creator Brian Benham

Meet Brian Benham, an accomplished artist, designer and custom furniture creator in Black Forest, Colorado. Recently, we sat down with him to talk about his lifelong journey becoming a craftsman and the influences that have shaped him. 

When did your fascination with woodworking begin?

When I was a kid, PBS was about the only thing to watch on TV. So I watched a lot of This Old House, New Yankee Workshop and the Woodwright’s Shop. I’d alway been interested in making things, so these shows just spoke to me— I learned a ton about general construction and how to build furniture from these craftsmen. 

My dad was also a huge influence. He was a carpenter and also project manager with a bridge construction company. When I turned 13 my dad got me a job in the fabrication shop at his company. I started out sweeping floors and worked there every summer through high school. It was on the job training- learning how to weld, how to machine parts. I built earthquake restraints for bridges and was forklift-certified before I even had a driver’s license.

How did you make the leap into becoming a custom furniture builder full time?

In 2008, I was a project manager for a construction company. When the housing market crashed, the company I worked for filed bankruptcy. I knew I wanted to pursue my passion for woodworking, so I went to work at a big box store for a little while until I figured out how to get my business going. In 2010 I made the launch and opened up my own shop, becoming a custom furniture builder full time. 

Aside from nature, where do you find inspiration for your work?

My inspiration, a lot of the time, comes from collaboration with the client. A lot of time they have an idea, but don’t know how to bring it to life. One of my favorite projects was for a client who had a 1950’s model train from his childhood that he wanted to display in his home office. I created a floating shelf and built a tunnel into the supports of the shelf so that the train could travel through. I think it’s so cool that my work became part of the story of this train that is displayed in his home.

Another project involved a client who was an executive for a major airliner. When he retired after 30 years in the aviation industry, he wanted a piece built around the compressor from a jet engine of a 727. I designed this coffee table and suspended the compressor inside the table with a river of glass coming out of engine where flame and smoke and propellant would come out  to propel engine forward.

What effect do you think nature-inspired furniture has on a home and the people that live there?

There’s something about knowing that a piece in your home comes from the outdoors. These pieces are tactile and unique, they bring the warm colors of nature into the home. Many times they evoke a connection to better days, time spent outdoors hiking or on vacation, times away from the stress of life and work. 

As an example, I built this mahogany bench around a small boulder which serves as one of the legs holding up one end. What intrigued me about this project was  figuring out how to very carefully carve the wood to fit exactly around the stone. The challenge was what prompted the build. The other leg is modeled after a pillar you would see holding up a bridge, as a nod to my past history. This piece is an excellent example of bringing nature into my work while, at the same time, pushing my skills forward.

What are your hopes for the future?

I am always exploring new concepts—fine-tuning and developing my craft. Recently I’ve been experimenting with pieces that combine wood, steel, welding and chemical reactions with metals For this console table, I applied a chemical solution to the copper plated disc in the center, dabbing the solution around to create an artistic look. The effect is almost like looking into an aquarium from the top down. The raw steel adds depth of color. In addition, I incorporated a lot of geometry, inspired by Japanese architecture. 

Brian Benham is the owner of Benham Design Concepts. Benham creates beautiful, quality furniture meticulously designed and built to the highest standard of design. View his portfolio or call for a consultation at 719-347-5112.