A walnut charcuterie board with a brass inlay, set out with cheese, crackers, olives and pickles

What guides the work

The best things in life are usually the simplest.

Good relationships, good work, and a handful of things you actually reach for.

I'd rather make something of quality than something of excess. But I don't believe you have to choose. A thing that works well, a thing that catches your eye, and a thing that lasts for generations aren't tradeoffs to me.

Beauty shouldn't cost you function, and durability shouldn't cost you warmth. When those pull against each other, I keep working until they don't.

None of my work is meant to be the center of attention. The board holds the meal. It should make the evening better and then get out of the way. The meal — the evening — is what everyone enjoys.

If someone notices the piece after the dishes are put away, that's a good day.

The work I'm most proud of, is the work that helps someone else shine.

Brand Pillars

Five ideas that shape every piece.

Legacy

Pieces worthy of carrying stories — and meals — forward.

Hardwood and metal age beautifully. Built once, used for decades, passed on.

Craftsmanship

Hand-jointed edges, hand-set inlay, hand-rubbed finish.

Every detail matters. Nothing is rushed.

Design

Beauty and use, held in balance — never in competition.

Considered proportions, complementary materials, weight you can feel.

Discovery

Metal that warms with touch. Hardwood that deepens with oil.

The best work rewards a closer look — and a longer life.

Connection

Made for the tables, kitchens, and gatherings that matter most.

You’ll remember who was there. Not what it sat on.

My Story

Things help us remember a moment, a lesson, a person.

Growing up in Minnesota, I learned the value of hard work, building things with purpose, and above all how much people matter. My dad, an engineer, taught me that quality matters and that things should be built to last. Years later, woodworking became a way to reconnect with the satisfaction of creating something tangible with my own hands.

What began as a practical need during a home renovation evolved into a passion for craftsmanship, design, and the pursuit of creating things that people would genuinely love to own and use.

The name Elephant Proof Design reflects two beliefs. “Elephant Proof” is a tribute to durability and quality that come from thoughtful engineering. “Design” reflects the belief that form and function should never compete. Great design is achieved when beauty, function, quality, and durability are given equal consideration.

A board glue-up clamped on the bench, glue beads still visible between the blocks

Every piece is created with the hope that it becomes part of someone's journey. Something they often reach for. Something that enhances an experience, inspires a new start, sparks a memory, or marks a meaningful moment in time.

My goal is not simply to create things.

My goal is to create mementos worthy of carrying someone's legacy.

I'll let you know when the first collection is ready.