Brian Holcombe is a woodworker specializing in handmade, one-of-a-kind furniture influenced by Japanese sashimono techniques and furniture of the Chinese Ming Dynasty. All of Holcombe’s woodwork is joined together without the use of fasteners, nails or screws, and units like his credenzas and cabinets often feature shoji — traditional Japanese sliding doors or screens. His work is mid-century modern in style but thoughtfully traditional in construction as it draws on the materials and techniques once favored by the Samurai and wealthy merchants of Asia.
His studio, where he builds elegant bookcases, daybeds, benches and other pieces, is in Princeton, New Jersey. By creating his furniture by hand, Holcombe intimately understands the nature of each material he uses. While much of his work is made of wood, the use of various types, including ash, walnut and mahogany, gives a sophisticated variation to the furniture, with brass accents furthering the depth of its design. Holcombe uses mulberry paper for his sliding door pieces and offers a live edge on some products, like his dining room tables.
In addition to producing beautiful furniture, Holcombe teaches woodworking classes both in person and online, including workshops on hand tools, interlocking techniques and shoji doors. Publications such as Fine Woodworking and Handwork Magazine have featured his expert work.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Brian Holcombe seating, tables, storage case pieces and more.
Walnut Credenza with Sliding Shoji Doors
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Walnut credenza made by hand and featuring sliding shoji doors and a shelf. This cabinet is constructed utilizing time honored joinery techniques featured in Japanese temple carpentr...
Walnut
Walnut Credenza with Sliding Shoji Doors
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Walnut credenza made by hand and featuring sliding shoji doors and a shelf. This cabinet is constructed utilizing time honored joinery techniques featured i...
Walnut
Walnut hall Cabinet with Shoji Doors
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Walnut cabinet made by hand and featuring shoji doors and shelves. This cabinet is constructed utilizing time honored joinery techniques featured in Japanese temple carpentry in addi...
Walnut
Hikido Credenza in Black Cherry
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
The credenza is made of American black cherry - the case is finished in blonde shellac and the Stand stained black. The secondary wood is American oak which lines the drawers. Detail...
Cherry, Walnut
Bedside Table in White Ash with Oil Finish
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Contemporary take on Sashimono furniture, utilizing carefully handmade interlocking joinery. This nightstand features a drawer made with handcut dovetailed construction. In traditional Sashimono drawers are made to fit and function in very exacting fashion, this drawer uses...
Ash
Dovetailed Bench in Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this bench I took cues from sashimono, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a closer look. In building this bench I utilize...
Walnut
Writing Desk in Solid Walnut by Boyd & Allister
By Boyd & Allister
Located in Santa Fe, NM
This writing desk in solid walnut was originally made as a gift for my daughter on her 13th birthday. I designed it to be elegant, simple and timeless; something that could fit seaml...
Walnut
A very elegant walnut table/desk with a central drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
This refined Italian walnut writing table or desk is a beautiful example of neoclassical craftsmanship, combining graceful form with intricate detailing. The rectangular top is frame...
Walnut
Scandinavian Style Secretary Desk in Walnut
Located in Paris, FR
Beautifull handmade Nordic style compact desk made of solid walnut wood offering a real storage solution with three drawers, one secret compartment and tw...
Walnut
Desk, Walnut, Modern, Storage, Hardwood, Customizable, Semigood
By Semigood Design
Located in Issaquah, WA
Modern, hardwood rift desk with drawer. The lead time provided is an estimate and may extend up to 12 months. If you require delivery by a specific date, we kindly recommend inquiring prior to purchase to ensure availability. Timeless lines and subtle tapers make this desk the crowing jewel of any home office. The writing...
Hardwood
The Bi Writing Desk. Handcrafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia wood.
By Amilcar Oliveira
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Bi writing desk brings modernity and lightness combined with a classic touch. It's crafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia woods and features a movable storage compartment that c...
Wood
Walnut Desk by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut desk designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Refinished.
Walnut
