Custom rustic furniture handcrafted from natural live-edge wood slabs and burl wood. At Littlebranch Farm, we craft each piece the traditional way—using time-tested wood joinery to ensure functional, simple, and honest craftsmanship.
Founded in 2001, we bring more than two decades of hands-on experience crafting functional rustic furniture inspired by nature. Every piece is designed for everyday use, not just for display, and built to age well over the years.
Every piece from our Nashville, Tennessee, studio reflects our deep respect for wood, integrity, and the craft itself. We reject mass production and shortcuts, choosing genuine materials and traditional joinery techniques. The result: one-of-a-kind furniture that tells a story and stands the test of time.
Want a custom rustic or live-edge furniture piece that endures for generations?
Whether you’re furnishing a home, retreat, or workspace, we design and build one-of-a-kind furniture from real wood using traditional joinery. Explore available pieces in our store or start a custom project tailored to your space.
What Is Custom Rustic Furniture?
Custom rustic furniture combines simplicity and functionality, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of ethically sourced wood—often harvested from dead standing trees and from salvaged logs and roots on the forest floor. This furniture showcases the wood’s unique characteristics, including its curves, knots, checks, and grain patterns, embracing imperfections rather than hiding them.
Common Questions About Rustic Furniture
Rustic furniture from natural materials to create functional pieces that honor imperfection. We leave knots, cracks, and irregular grain visible instead of hiding them. We focus on function first, using solid wood that preserves organic edges and natural textures. No two pieces will be the same.
No. At Littlebranch Farm, rustic refers to authenticity—not crude construction. Our furniture is carefully finished, structurally sound, and designed for daily use.
Yes, live edge furniture is a natural extension of rustic design, preserving the tree’s original edge and celebrating its natural growth. Both styles are inspired by nature. The designs integrate logs, driftwood, antlers, and hides from bison, cows, deer, and elk to create functional furniture that will last for generations.
When built correctly, rustic furniture is exceptionally durable. We use stable, air-dried wood and traditional joinery techniques to ensure long-term performance.
Nature-inspired Rustic Furniture
Natural live edge furniture is at the heart of what we do. Unlike conventional furniture, which removes every trace of a tree’s natural form. Live edge pieces preserve the organic edges and contours created by years of growth.
Designing with Live Edge Slabs, Burls, and Salvaged Wood
We work with select live-edge wood slabs, burls, and salvaged driftwood and logs, allowing the grain, movement, and character of each piece to guide the design. No two slabs are alike—and neither is the furniture built from them.
Types of Custom Rustic Furniture We Create
- Live edge dining tables
- Rustic and live edge bed frames
- Executive desks and office furniture
- Bathroom vanities and console tables
- Fireplace mantels and accent pieces
Each piece is designed to highlight the wood’s natural beauty while remaining solid, functional, and timeless.
Handcrafted in Nashville, TN, Since 2001
Littlebranch Farm was founded by Kelly Maxwell, a self-taught furniture maker with deep roots in traditional craftsmanship and a lifelong respect for wood. Raised as a farm boy in Kuna, Idaho, Kelly learned early on that good work comes from patience, grit, and doing things the right way—even when it takes longer.
In the early years, Kelly harvested dead-standing trees and selectively sourced logs himself, traveling to craft shows across the country with functional rustic log furniture. That hands-on approach shaped the philosophy that still guides Littlebranch Farm today: know your materials, respect the process, and never fight the wood.
Over time, the work evolved from rustic log furniture to custom live edge furniture crafted from rare and expressive slabs such as bigleaf maple burl, redwood burl, claro walnut, and buckeye burl. While the materials have changed from log to live edge, the values have not.
As Seen In & Award Recognition
Littlebranch Farm’s work has been recognized nationally for craftsmanship, originality, and respect for natural materials.
Featured In:
- Log Home Living — “The Woodsman,” August 2016
- PBS — The Volunteer Woodworker
- Nashville Public Television — Tennessee Crossroads
Award Recognition:
- Western Design Conference, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- 2022 — Award-Winning “Woodland” Burl Bed
- 2023 — Award-Winning “Feather Fall” Executive Desk
- Designed and built by Kelly Maxwell
Each piece is judged among the finest custom furniture makers in the country.
Every piece is:
- Designed and built by hand
- Crafted using traditional woodworking techniques
- Made in Nashville, TN
- Built to showcase the natural character of real wood
Custom Rustic Furniture for Every Space
We design and build custom rustic furniture for every room in your home. Whether you’re furnishing a mountain retreat, a modern rustic residence, or simply a space that values natural materials, we have options for you. You can choose from our in-store furniture, or we can work closely with you to create something that perfectly fits your space and lifestyle.
Our custom furniture offerings include:
Live Edge Dining Tables—designed for both gathering and everyday use
Rustic Bed Frames—featuring burl and slab designs
Office Desks & Executive Furniture—where craftsmanship meets functionality
Bathroom Vanities—crafted from natural wood with practical designs
Fireplace Mantels & Accent Tables—unique statement pieces with character
Since we work with real wood, no two pieces are ever the same, and that’s exactly the beauty of our furniture.
Why Choose Littlebranch Farm?
There are plenty of places selling “rustic-style” furniture. What sets Littlebranch Farm apart is experience, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.
- Over 20 years of hands-on furniture making
- Ethically sourced natural wood, including salvaged and selectively harvested material
- Traditional joinery and thoughtful design
- No veneers, no mass production, no shortcuts
- Furniture built to be functional, honest, and enduring
We don’t design furniture to follow trends. We design it to age well—both in style and in use.
Natural Hardwax Finish & Wood Stability
We finish all of our furniture with a 100% natural hardwax oil finish that protects the wood while allowing it to breathe. This finish repels water, wine, soda, and everyday spills, and is scratch- and stain-resistant. Most importantly, it is easy to repair and maintain—no stripping or sanding required.
Why We Use a Natural Hardwax Oil Finish
- Wipe up spills and grime as needed
- Every few weeks, clean and replenish the surface using the recommended wash care product
- If a stain happens, the wash care should remove it.
Air-Dried Wood, Stability, and Long-Term Performance
All of our wood is native to the United States and carefully air-dried. Through hands-on experience, we’ve learned that dry wood alone is not enough—it must be stable. As we like to say, the wood must be comfortable in its own skin. Only stable slabs are selected for furniture, ensuring long-term performance and structural integrity.
Related Custom Furniture
- Burl Wood Furniture—Statement pieces crafted from rare and expressive burls
- Natural Wood Furniture—Furniture that highlights grain, movement, and organic form
- Live Edge Furniture—Tables, beds, bathroom vanities, and desks shaped by nature
Visit Our Nashville Studio or Start a Custom Project
When you’re in Nashville, Tennessee, we invite you to visit our furniture studio located in the SoBro district of downtown. You will see live edge slabs at various stages of production, finished furniture, and intricate details that cannot be fully appreciated through photos alone.
If you are considering a custom rustic furniture piece, we would be glad to discuss your ideas, materials, and options. Whether you want to start a custom project or visit our Nashville studio, we look forward to sharing the story behind the wood with you.