Brandon
Gore

The Modern Craftsman

Craft in the U.S. nearly disappeared after the Industrial Revolution, but Brandon Gore wants to change that. Since learning from his grandfather that you could fix or build ...anything with your own two hands, Brandon has made it his mission to bring back classic American craftsmanship.

Brandon Gore was born in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, where he spent summers getting his hands dirty on the family farm. This “do it yourself” lifestyle served him well when he left home at the age of 17 and supported himself by working in hospitality. After quickly rising through the ranks to Director of Sales for a major hotel chain, Brandon realized he loved the taste of success but was already getting tired of corporate monotony. Even back then, craft was calling.

When he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2000, a moment on the mountain bike trail changed everything. He saw a home under construction along the trail, but it wasn’t just any cookie cutter house. It was by famed local architect Eddie Jones and was built using rammed earth and sustainable finishes, like concrete sinks and countertops. In an instant, Brandon just knew: this is what he was meant to do. This pivotal moment sparked a change that would take him from corporate cog to award-winning craftsman.

In 2004, Brandon started Gore Design Co. and set his sights on creating the finest handcrafted concrete sinks and countertops in the world. Since then, he has invested more than 35,000 hours in becoming a master of high-end concrete. His passion has led to the creation of Hard Goods, the launch of Conservatory of Craft, several industry awards, and his TV debut as a judge on Spike TV’s Framework.

While all the glitz and glamour has been fun, Brandon is still happiest when he’s making things. Whether it’s welding steel to make handcrafted furniture, creating unique concrete fixtures, or training others at his newly opened Conservatory of Craft, he won’t settle until good, sustainable design is the new standard and everyone can experience the beauty of true American craftsmanship.

• Read More •

Brandon in
the Press

In 2014 and 2015, Brandon was a judge on Spike TV’s first furniture building competition, Framework . He was originally recruited as a contestant but became a judge after telling the executives they needed a craftsman on the panel.

In 2012, Brandon launched Hard Goods , a modern, minimalist concrete + steel + wood furniture line. Before the business cards were even printed, their Modern Muskoka chair won the 2012 Best Furniture Design Award at Dwell on Design .

Brandon’s work has been featured thousands of times on Houzz , one of the largest online platforms for home remodeling and design. He also received the Best of Houzz 2015 - Client Satisfaction award, as voted by the Houzz community.

Learn more about Brandon’s work as a judge on the Spike TV's furniture building competition, Framework. He represents the craftsman’s voice, while hip hop star Common and Nolen Niu offer the consumer and designer perspectives.

Real estate firm Firefly Living has seen a lot of amazing homes, so they know good furniture when they see it. As admirers of style and sustainability, their team started following Brandon’s work and interviewed him for this in-depth story .

WoodTalk , a podcast about the world of woodworking, talked to Brandon about his passion and recent projects. Brandon also shared behind-the-scenes details about Framework, as well as advice for up-and-coming designers.

Poisonous Four, a popular men’s style blog, wrote about Brandon’s story in this post . During the interview, Brandon discussed what drew him to concrete, his approach to sustainability and design, how he stays innovative, and more.

Live Outside sources outdoor living inspiration, from designer profiles and advice, to DIY projects and trends. In a recent article , they sat down with Brandon for a fun Q & A to learn more about his work, interest, style, and personal life.

Each month, Eco18’s team of sustainable lifestyle writers handpicks people to profile in their monthly interview series, “18 Questions.” In January 2015, they interviewed Brandon about his life, passions, and advice for other like-minded people.

Thank You. We'll be in contact with you soon.

Brandon in the Press

Get in Touch

Brandon in
the Press