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.
$2,950 / item
Dovetailed Bench in Mahogany by Brian Holcombe
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...
Mahogany
$3,800 / item
Dovetailed Corner Long Bench in Mahogany
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...
Mahogany
$9,500 / item
Daybed in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This daybed was inspired by the Uji bridge at Naiku temple in Japan. It is featured in Honduran mahogany and made for indoor/outdoor use in Honduran mahogan...
Mahogany
$3,995Sale Price / item|15% Off
Live Edge Trestle Bench in Cherry by Brian Holcombe
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 utilized joinery unique to Japanese timber carpentry. This bench utilizes joinery found in traditional Japanese carpentry...
Cherry
$3,500 / item
Spindle Back Bench in Walnut and Ash
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Contemporary walnut bench handmade by Brian Holcombe utilizing the techniques of traditional Windsor chair making combined with traditional mortise and tenon joinery similar to that ...
Walnut
$850 / item
Dovetailed Stool in Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this bench I took cues from sashimono, seeking an outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a closer look. In building this bench I utiliz...
Walnut
$3,850 / item
Dovetailed Platform Bed in Ash, Queen Size
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This bed is designed to accommodate a contemporary aesthetic. This design is carefully handmade, featuring detailed construction and traditional technique which utilizes the interloc...
Ash
$9,500 / item
Naiku Daybed in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This daybed was inspired by the Uji bridge at Naiku temple in Japan. It is featured in Honduran mahogany and made for indoor/outdoor use in Honduran mahogan...
Mahogany
$3,600 / item
Dovetailed Platform Bed in Ash, Extra Large Twin
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This bed is designed to accommodate a contemporary aesthetic. This design is carefully handmade, featuring detailed construction and traditional technique which utilizes the interloc...
Ash
Spindle Back Dining Chair in White Ash by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this chair I wanted to best utilize the best and most practical aspects of the classical Windsor chair and apply them in contemporary proportion. The genius of the class...
Ash
$2,850 / item
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
$2,200 / item
Henry the Armchair in Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are individu...
Walnut
$4,500 / item
Tea House Chair in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this chair I took cues from both Japanese sashimono and English windsor chairs, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a clos...
Mahogany
$2,950 / item
Dovetailed Bench in Mahogany
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...
Mahogany
Club Chair by Brian Holcombe in Mahogany with Upholstery
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Upholstered club chair in mahogany wood with carving details on the sides. The carvings are of a motif found in 18th century Ming furniture. The carvings are done by hand. This ch...
Mahogany
$3,800 / item
Dovetailed Platform Bed in Ash, Full
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This bed is designed to accommodate a contemporary aesthetic. This design is carefully handmade, featuring detailed construction and traditional technique which utilizes the interloc...
Ash
$2,600 / item
Henry Counter Stool in White Ash
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are indivi...
Ash, Walnut
Spindle Back Dining Chair in Ebonized Oak by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this chair I wanted to best utilize the best and most practical aspects of the classical Windsor chair and apply them in contemporary proportion. The genius of the class...
Oak
$4,200 / item
Daybed in Walnut with Splayed Legs
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This daybed was inspired by the splayed bell tower structures of Japan. These structures utilize a simple principle that by putting the uprights of a structure at an inward angle, i...
Mahogany
$2,250 / item
Henry the Armchair in Walnut with Upholstered Seat
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are indivi...
Walnut
'Henry the Armchair' in Walnut with Leather Upholstery by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are indivi...
Walnut
$2,200 / item
Henry the Armchair in White Ash
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are individu...
Ash, Walnut
'Henry the Armchair' in Walnut with Leather Upholstery by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are indivi...
Walnut
Beachcomber Milking Stool in Oiled Walnut
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The beachcomber milking stool is our take on a Classic, simple form. The hand shaped seat is sculpted for comfort, and the legs are shaved wi...
Oak, Walnut
$2,000 / item
H 17 in W 36 in D 12 in
Walnut Knife Beam Bench 3' Long Solid Wood + Blackened Steel by Alabama Sawyer
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
Our knife beam bench in walnut utilizes salvaged walnut wood logs for a rustic bench. Narrow and backless, the simple lines express the natural texture of the end grain of each species. The 12" x 12" beam is milled and finished to sit raised by a mild steel base with a black patina. The beam bench brings rustic beauty at a variety of lengths. Cracks, knots, saw marks and variation is part of the beauty of these pieces. The wood will continue to move and the finish to patina over time. The knife walnut beam bench makes a cozy coffee table in a den or living room or low table in a mud room or entry hall for flexible use as a place to place packages and bags or to remove shoes. With the oiled finish used on the knife walnut beam bench, we do not recommend putting this bench outside...
Steel
Bronze MFA Bench by American Studio Craft Artist David N. Ebner
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
An awarding winning bronze studio crafted bench by American artist, David N. Ebner. MFA stands for Museum of Fine Arts and located in Boston, MA. This piece has a wonderful Asian el...
Bronze
Wonderful Transitional Chrome Velvet Stool Nickel Bamboo Jansen Bench
Located in Roslyn, NY
Perfect seating for the transitional or Classic rooms, this chrome / nickel stool with purple velvet fabric top done in bamboo chinoiserie design are so versatile that can be used in...
Nickel
$4,152
H 15.75 in W 31.5 in D 14.18 in
Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Josef Frank & SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A beautiful bench by Josef Frank, for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1960s. The frame is made of mahogany, upholstered seat with brass nails. The feet are elegantly sculpted and the bench can also be used as a table, end of bed stool...
Fabric, Mahogany
$6,287
H 21.66 in W 34.85 in D 77.56 in
Daybed with Mahogany Frame in the Manner of Charlotte Perriand, France 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
French daybed from the 1950s, defined by a clear, architectural mahogany frame and a refined sense of proportion. Newly upholstered, the piece reflects the postwar French approach to...
Metal
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 29 in D 15 in
French Louis XVI Style Carved Walnut Petite Window Bench with Silk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Louis XVI style petite window bench, crafted in carved walnut, exudes elegance and refinement, making it a charming addition to any room. The bench is designed with grace...
Silk, Cane, Walnut
$1,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15.25 in W 35.5 in D 18.5 in
Pair of Rare Walnut American Victorian Foot Stools Attributed to Belter
By John Henry Belter
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite pair of rare walnut American Victorian footstools, attributed to the renowned cabinetmaker John Henry Belter, showcases the opulence and craftsmanship of mid-19th cent...
Walnut
Mahogany neoclassical daybed, 19th c.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Neoclassical lounge chair, daybed, recamier in carved mahogany with the back describing a wave. France, 19th c.
Mahogany
French Restauration Period Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Daybed
Located in London, GB
This grand daybed would make a fantastic addition to a traditional lounge room: framed in dark mahogany and upholstered in green and gold striped silk, the daybed is a fine work of a...
Ormolu, Bronze
$3,000 / set
H 18.25 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
American Designer, Mid-Century Modern Tufted Ottomans, Stools, Walnut, Bouclé
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern American Designer Tufted Ottomans, Stools, Footstools Walnut, Bouclé Pair of Mid-Century stools or ottomans by an unknown American designer having organic curve...
Textile, Wood
René Gabriel Daybed in Elm, France 1950's
By Rene Gabriel
Located in New York, NY
A René Gabriel daybed of the reconstruction period in the original patina, of note, Is the layered construction of the lower frame that gives the da...
Elm
Custom Bench - Per Specification
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Pair of custom benches created to fit an inside corner to corner of 68" Outside Dimensions 84". 34" tall ebonized quarter sawn oak.
Oak