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.
Trestle Base Dining Table in Quartersawn Walnut by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Dining table in quarter sawn walnut featuring a trestle base, carefully constructed utilizing interlocking joinery and without metal hardware or screws. The construction of this tabl...
Walnut
$8,200 / item
Trestle Leg Dining Table in Oiled Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This handmade heavy slab trestle leg dining table features elements unique to traditional Japanese timber framing carpentry work making this a subtle and very sturdy dining table. Th...
Ash, Walnut
$10,500 / item
Trestle Leg Dining Table in Oiled Ash
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This handmade heavy slab trestle leg dining table features elements unique to traditional Japanese timber framing carpentry work making this a subtle and ...
Ash
$9,500 / item
Splayed Leg Dining Table in walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This dining table takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese bell tower in its use of a splayed leg structure that appears to feature square section le...
Walnut
$1,200 / item
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
$3,500 / item
Trestle Cocktail Table in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this table I took cues from both Japanese sashimono and traditional timber framing seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a c...
Mahogany
$10,500 / item
Live Edge Trestle Leg Dining Table in Oiled Maple
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This handmade heavy slab trestle leg dining table features elements unique to traditional Japanese timber framing carpentry work making this a subtle and very sturdy dining table...
Maple
$9,000 / item
Splayed Leg Dining Table in Quartersawn Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This dining table takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese bell tower in its use of a splayed leg structure that appears to feature square section le...
Walnut
$9,000 / item
Splayed Leg Dining Table in Quartersawn Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This dining table takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese bell tower in its use of a splayed leg structure that appears to feature square section le...
Walnut
Hana Walnut Trestle Dining Table
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Hana Trestle Dining table is our take on the classic trestle form, beloved by both the shakers and their distant woodworking cousins, the Jap...
Walnut
Louis XVI Style Mirror Top Table with Gallery
Located in Huntington, NY
Louis XVI style mirror top table with gallery.
Brass
$1,150
H 15 in W 36 in D 18 in
Classic Mid-Century Modern Wicker and Iron Cocktail Table by Danny Ho Fong
By Danny Ho Fong
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern wicker and iron cocktail table by Danny Ho Fong.
Iron
$920 / item
H 43.3 in W 23.62 in D 23.62 in
Round High Top Table with Steel Base and Werzalit Top, Cocktail Table
Located in Miami, FL
Round high top table with steel base and werzalit top. Cocktail table Ideal for hospitality.
Iron
$6,290Sale Price / item|15% Off
H 15.75 in W 55.12 in D 39.38 in
Oval Outdoor Coffee Table in Resin Fiberglass with Antique Finish
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Contemporary outdoor/indoor coffee table built with resin reinforced fiberglass. This highly resistant material is very durable and requires less maintenance than concrete. The table...
Resin, Fiberglass
Italian Walnut Trestle Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Wonderful early 20th century Italian walnut trestle table with a 2-inch thick top, carved trestle ends and a very good colour. 1920. Code: 8909 Dimensions: W: 118" (299.7 cm) H: 3...
Walnut
Antique Spanish Renaissance Revival Walnut Trestle Dining Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Late 19th century Spanish Renaissance Revival walnut trestle table, sourced in Provence, France. The rectangular top is crafted from solid walnut with a rich warm finish, its surface...
Walnut
$7,800
H 30 in W 98.5 in D 35.5 in
Country English Provincial Walnut Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table 8 Ft.
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Massive rustic country English provincial style farmhouse dining table or harvest table measuring over 8 feet long. The table features a 2.5 inch thick plank top with breadboard ends...
Brass, Iron
Bedside Table in Walnut and Ash by Boyd & Allister
By Boyd & Allister
Located in Santa Fe, NM
These bedside tables in walnut and ash were first designed for a client who wanted nothing more than a book and a lamp by their bed. We begin by choosing a beautiful piece of wood fo...
Ash, Walnut
Industrial Swing-Out-Seat Outdoor Dining Table
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
The get back outdoor industrial dining table. Taking our swing out seats a step beyond their usual bar and kitchen counter duties, Tim Byrne, founder of...
Steel, Iron
Fine Pieced Burl Top Dining/ Work Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A beautifully constructed table with an artistically conceived piece-work top in deep toned Burl Wood veneers. The top is plank-constructed in different dark wood grains of different...
Wood
Tula Dining Table (Ash)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This dining table is custom made in Los Angeles. The solid wood boards are cut to size and joined. The welded steel base is given a hand applied patina and sealed. ASH + STEEL HARDW...
Ash