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.
$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
$2,200 / 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
$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
$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
$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
$1,620 / item
H 33.86 in W 18.9 in D 14.57 in
Moooi The Golden Chair in Black Steel Frame with Vesper, Bronze Upholstery
By Moooi, Nika Zupanc
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Under a mysterious magic spell, a retro-looking school chair is dipped in enchanted golden nectar, which washes away its austerity and crows it with a shi...
Steel
$3,790 / set
H 38.59 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Set of Four Dining Chairs in Walnut in the Style of Scarpa, Italy 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Hellouw, NL
These dining chairs share great similarities with the designs of Afra and Tobia Scarpa and Mobil Girgi. This is a playful design that follows the rule of a dining chair. Meaning that...
Leather, Walnut
$2,975 / item
H 40 in W 18.5 in D 19.5 in
Reeves Swivel Bar or Counter Stool W/ Ash stained Walnut legs & Brass Finish.
Located in Westport, CT
Swivel bar stool with Ash legs stained Walnut #2 and satin brass finish accents. Seat and back shown upholstered in green leather. Available in bar height (30" seat height), counter ...
Metal
$2,000 / item
H 33.5 in W 21 in D 24 in
Modern White Oak Dining Chair with Ebony Finish and Upholstered Seat
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
A dining chair constructed of white oak with an ebony finish, shown in cut velvet upholstery. The upholstered seat and structured frame provide support suited for dining and hospital...
Oak
Modern Upholstered Dining Chair with Cubed Seat on Casters
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
This modern dining chair features a clean, tailored silhouette with a distinctive cubed seat and gently curved back. Shown upholstered in an ecru linen fabri...
Linen
$3,450 / set
H 31.89 in W 22.64 in D 19.69 in
Ton Set of Six Armchairs in Bentwood with Red Upholstery
By TON a.s.
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ton, set of six armchairs, fabric, bentwood beech, Czech Republic, 1960s This elegant set of dining chairs, manufactured by Ton, features a wonderful bentwood frame. The round shape...
Fabric, Beech
$2,900 / item
H 31.5 in W 18 in D 19.63 in
UNA Dining Chair in Black Stained Ash with Upholstered Seat by Estudio Persona
By Estudio Persona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The UNA chair combines a curved wooden seat and legs with a leather-upholstered cylindrical back, creating a balance between comfort and simple geometry. Its design highlights the na...
Leather, Oak
$2,631 / item
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
Modern Dining Chair Gropius CS2 by Noom, Ash Wood Legs, Fluffy, Faux Fur, White
By NOOM, Kateryna Sokolova
Located in Paris, FR
New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and conciseness, the combination of craft...
Fur, Fabric, Wool, Faux Fur, Ash
$296 / item
H 29.14 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
2 White Dining Chairs in the Style of Charlotte Perriand, France, 1960
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
2 dining chairs in the style of Charlotte Perriand from the '50s All original and in good vintage condition. Solid heavy wood...
Cane, Rush, Wood
French Armchair with Red Wooden Frame and Straw Seat
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Armchair, beech, straw, France, 1960s. Stunning French armchair with red beech frame and classic organic straw seat. This chair features a solid wooden frame, consisting of cylindri...
Straw, Beech
Luc Counter Stool in Solid Wood, Brass and Upholstered Seat
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
When it comes to Luc counter stool, the playing field is the cross-section where functional design and craftsmanship of the highest quality meet art. This chair is made of solid wood...
Brass
Garden Chair in Wrought Iron with cushion
Located in Miami, FL
Garden chairs in wrought iron for indoor or outdoor You must indicate if you want the product with the special treatment for outdoor. ...
Wrought Iron