For modern birds
Inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and other mid-century designs, Tennessee’s Matt Estrada started building unique wood homes — for birds.
The founder: Estrada's interest in woodworking began in a high school shop class. Over the years, the father of two sons worked on small projects. Then, Estrada started making simple nesting boxes as gifts for friends and family around 2007. Last summer, he decided to leave his job of 30 years as a FedEx Express courier and focus on his art and new business.
The company: Churp modern is based in Rockvale, Tenn. Estrada came up with the idea in 2011 and created his first prototypes early in 2012.
Materials: Western red cedar and reclaimed Tennessee barn wood. The bird homes are then hand-brushed with an exterior grade wood stain to add pops of color.
What's popular: The Horizons series ($110) of bird homes.
What's next: More wall pieces and bat houses, which he gets requests for at every art festival.
Where to buy: www.churpmodern.com (custom orders too). In Atlanta, find churp modern at the Atlanta Arts Festival in Piedmont Park Oct. 24 and 25.
Knock, knock
As a symbol of hospitality, a pineapple door knocker will make your guests feel welcome with the first knock. Especially the impressive pineapple door knockers from Virginia’s Jefferson Brass Company.
The company and founders: Jack and Mary Kirk Goehring, a husband and wife team, conceived the idea of Jefferson Brass in 1980, as they began designing a gift line to be made in solid brass. Jack's love of brass began in his early years on Martha's Vineyard, crewing on sailing yachts. His collection of bronze and brass ship's hardware sits in his office today.
The main goods: Candlesticks, door knockers, bookends and fireplace accessories.
Known for: The heirloom Stocking Hanger collection. Designed to eliminate the need for nails and hooks, the stocking hangers have been engineered to support any amount of weight.
Best sellers: Door knockers ($90 and up); candlesticks ($54 each and up); bookends/doorstops, starting at $128 each.
Other favorites: Virginia Blowpoke, a fireplace tool, with a mounting hook ($108).
What's next: A Fox Horn candlestick.
Where to buy: www.jeffersonbrass.com
Landscape art
North Carolina’s Kate Morrison creates classic accents for your lawn and garden.
The founder: A Louisville, Ky., native, Morrison graduated from Davidson College and later received an MBA from Simmons School of Management in Boston. During a restoration of a family home, she had an idea for a business dedicated to hand-crafted garden accents made in North Carolina.
The company: Eastover Collection was founded in 2013 in Concord, N.C. Morrison lives within minutes of her family's mill work shop, where she collaborates with woodworkers to create her garden line.
The main goods: Planter boxes, obelisks and rose pyramids, topiary frames, trellises, window boxes, and arbors ($350 to $4,500).
What's popular: Planter boxes in various sizes ($350 to $1,250).
Other favorites: Garden obelisks in various sizes ($250 to $895).
Materials and colors: Planter boxes are made primarily in cellular PVC, a moisture-resistant and long-lasting building material. Other pieces are built in Cellular PVC, or a durable wood, such as cedar, fir or cypress. Colors include white, black and Charleston Green, or a custom color by request.
Big break: Crafting custom planter boxes and garden obelisks for the Duke Mansion in Charlotte, NC, as part of the property's garden restoration and 100th year anniversary celebration.
What's next: Creating a garden bench and offering new planter box designs.
Where to buy: www.eastovercollection.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@lindajerkins.
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