BRIAN DOWNEY
DESIGNS
WHERE ART MEETS FUNCTION
Everything we make is handcrafted right here in scenic Chester County, Pennsylvania. We take great pride in the fact that every piece passes through our hands at every step in the process from wood selection, milling, epoxy pouring and finishing.
We always strive to make our customers experience a great one! This why we ALWAYS offer free shipping. The price you see is the price you pay. All orders are shipped within 2-3 business days after your order is placed.
We try to pick wood that is unique in some way whether it’s the grain pattern, the coloring, or any unusual characteristics that may make our pieces stand out from the rest. The epoxy we use is one of the best on the market today. EcoPoxy uses bio content without the use of toxic organic compounds or heavy metals.
We are here to answer your questions. Have a custom request for an item you do not see or need an answer about our existing products? Feel free to use our form below or call us between 9am-5pm Monday thru Friday EST. We look forward to hearing from you and proving we are the best in the business.
With over 33 years of woodworking experience, Brian has been extremely fortunate to be able to live a life doing the thing he loves most; Creating with wood. He was born and raised in Southampton, New York, where he grew up in the home his father and great grandfather built. He was a residential carpenter there in the Hamptons for 20 years. During that time, he began making furniture from reclaimed wood as a hobby. Eventually, he and his family moved to Chester county, Pennsylvania where he started his own furniture company, Farmhouse Gear. Now, Brian is starting a new chapter in his woodworking career. Over the last several years he’s developed an appreciation for live edge wood. This is where the natural edge of the wood is incorporated into the design of the piece. In particular, he’s been drawn to live edge charcuterie boards, lazy susans, wall art, etc. Using the raw beauty of live edge wood combined with the latest innovations in epoxy, Brian Downey Designs strives to create the absolute best in high end functional art. Whether it’s a live edge charcuterie board or a lazy Susan, it’s sure to be a standout centerpiece for any occasion!
Can I cut on the epoxy?
While you certainly can cut on the epoxy, we don”t recommend it. We consider all of our charcuterie boards as serving boards, not cutting boards. That being said, you can cut on them. If you do, however, it will leave knife marks on both the wood and the epoxy.
How do I care for my board?
Use warm water and a mild soap to clean your board. Never fully submerge it in water and NEVER in the dishwasher. After cleaning, dry completely with a clean towel. If your begins to look dry, oil it with Roostmade Cutting Board Oil and wax it with Roostmade Organic Wood wax.
What finishes do you use?
On our charcuterie boards we use Roostmade Organic Wood Oil for Cutting Boards. On our Lazy Susans and coasters, we use a very durable conversion varnish.
What does charcuterie mean?
Brian Downey was born and raised in Southampton, New York (The Hamptons). As a child he grew up in the home that his father and great grandfather built. As he grew older, he followed in the footsteps of many of his family members and entered the world of construction. From his great grandfather, who was a originally a ship carpenter from Denmark, to his two brothers who were in residential construction, woodworking has been a part of his family for generations.
While working as a carpenter in some of the finest homes in the country, Brian was exposed to many beautiful antique pieces of furniture. It was there that he fell in love with the simple elegance of an old English pine farm table. Rustic, worry free, and easy to maintain, it was a favorite of many who came from Manhattan to enjoy care free summers in the Hamptons. Soon, he was making furniture just for fun, as well as for friends and family. As time went on, Brian was looking for a change from the rigors of construction and embarked on a complete change to financial services. He and his wife Karin, along with their two children, Lauren and Evan, made the move to beautiful West Chester, PA in Chester County. It was here, immersed in the rich furniture making history of Chester County, that he realized his heart was not in financial services, but rather in woodworking. Brian started Farmhouse Gear in 2012 specializing in furniture made from reclaimed lumber.
Now, Brian is starting a new chapter in his woodworking career. As he’s grown older, his tastes have evolved. Over the last several years he developed an appreciation for live edge pieces. This is where the natural edge of the wood is incorporated into the design of the piece. In particular, he’s been drawn to live edge charcuterie boards, lazy susan’s, wall art and more. Combining live edge wood with colored epoxy, Brian is able to create something that’s not only useful and practical but a piece of art.
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-5:00pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed