About Us

It's a team approach at Salem Board & Beam. Our extended family of devoted employees and skilled fellow artisans, can often be found working on various furniture pieces in our shop along with three generations of Salems.

Our design philosophy reflects the old world tradition of "from our family to yours." We hand-craft each piece of furniture with the belief that it will remain in your home, and in your family, for generations to come.

Each piece of wood has its own unique energy that drives the design of the piece. This centuries old philosophy, common in many examples of Shaker and Arts & Crafts furniture, is what ultimately drives our designs. Using the wood grain, character, and history helps us create an exquisite piece of furniture.

We combine the beauty of salvaged and reclaimed woods with timeless designs, and high-end joinery to produce furniture that will last for generations. We craft our furniture primarily from reclaimed and salvaged wood (often American Chestnut). However, we also use specialty woods such as cherry, black walnut, spalted maple, and others. Utilizing these source helps us to minimize new lumber use, and conserve our natural resources

Ken was influenced by George Watson, a project leader for the Smithsonian Institute who assisted in the restoration and preservation of the Salem Cross Inn. Reclaimed and salvaged lumber was used to match the quality of the original materials. Watson guided Ken through the process of dismantling derelict barns and salvaging old growth hardwoods slated for removal. It was during those efforts that Ken grew to love the beauty and mystique of the American chestnut.