Best seat in the house
As a master chair maker, North Carolina’s Brian Boggs has made comfort and sophistication his calling card. His sought-after furniture designs can be found in resorts, restaurants and trophy homes around the world.
The founders & company: Brian Boggs started making wooden chairs in 1982 in Berea, Ky. In 2008, he moved to Asheville. The next year, he and his wife Melanie, who is co-owner and CEO, started Brian Boggs Chairmakers.
The goods: Several chair and bar stool collections. For indoors, collections include the Greenwood collection ($1,200 to $2,700 per piece) and the timeless Ladderback Collection ($1,900 to $4,200 per piece). For outside, there is the Sunniva Outdoor Collection ($850 to $6,000 per piece), which includes a dining table, settee, armchair, rocking chair, dining chair, porch swing, and swing stand.
Materials: The indoor collection is made of domestic hardwoods, predominantly cherry, walnut and maples. For its outdoor furniture, the company uses sustainably sourced Honduran mahogany.
What's popular: The Sunniva Outdoor Rocker ($2,500) has been a top seller this year and last. Also popular: the Deluxe Porch Swings ($6,000 for swing and $4,200 for stand) and the Sonus Guitar Chair ($2,000 to $2,800), born out of a collaboration with guitarists.
Other favorites: The Ladderback, Brian's signature chair for years.
Claim to fame: Boggs, who is an award-winning tool designer and founding director of GreenWood Global, is also a frequent contributor to publications (like Fine Woodworking magazine) and a speaker at events like the annual conference of The Furniture Society.
What's new: More hospitality projects. Boggs is now building 30 stools for the Smoky Park Supper Club, a new riverside restaurant built from shipping containers in Asheville.
Where to buy: www.brianboggschairmakers.com or the company's shop at 239 Amboy Road in Asheville.
Anything but humble
For many of us, pies bring back memories of summer and family gatherings. The same goes for Amanda Wilbanks, who took her passion and went pro.
The company: Founded in 2012, Buttermilk Pie Co. is based in Gainesville, Ga.
The founder: Wilbanks grew up in Habersham County in north Georgia and graduated from UGA's Terry College of Business. Wilbanks grew up cooking with her mother and grandmothers. Later, her mother-in-law taught her how to make French pastry dough.
The goods: Pies with fresh, locally grown ingredients and an all-butter pie dough. Sweet and savory pies come in two sizes: Whole ($30 to $35) and petite, five-inch-pies ($8.95).
Best sellers: Signature Buttermilk ($30) and Caramel Pecan ($35)
Other favorites: Savory Chicken Pot Pie, plus seasonal must-haves: Georgia Belle Peach Pie and Organic Blueberry Pie.
Where to buy: www.buttermilkpieco.com and the company's retail shop, 302 Broad St., SE, Suite C, in Gainesville. In Atlanta, find pies at Lucy's Market, 102 West Paces Ferry Road NW.
For modern Dads (BFFs too)
Karen Hemphill is known for her signature cuff links. But in her new line, the North Carolina jewelry designer is changing things up. You can too — when the mood or occasion strikes.
The artist: Hemphill grew up in Virginia and attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned a BFA in Crafts and Material Studies. She lives and works in Fuquay-Varina, a small town near Raleigh.
The goods: Cuff links, rings and pendant necklaces ($165 to $185).
Materials: Steel, aircraft aluminum, fine leathers and woods. The settings are precision machined locally, finished by hand and fitted with made-to-order designs. Interchangeable design disks are crafted from a selection of fine leathers and hardwoods.
What's popular: The hair-on-hide, monogrammed and custom cuff links.
New favorites: The Dapper Dudes StoryScapes collection of 2-in-1 cuff links for men and the Girlfriends 3-in-1 line of rings and pendants for women.
Big break: Featured in Garden & Gun magazine's 2011 gift guide.
Where to buy: www.karenhemphill.com
Best of the South
Do you have favorite finds from around the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, send your suggestions to: lljerkins@gmail.com. Also find more Southern-made products, featured in the AJC, at Southernfinds on Facebook or twitter@southernfinds1.
About the Author
