The Builder’s Story

In 2021, I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. With the freedom to choose where our next chapter would begin, my family and I were drawn back to our native Colorado. After a career spent solving problems, leading teams, and taking on challenging missions, I wasn’t certain what I wanted my next chapter to look like. I transitioned to corporate cubicle life, but found it unsatisfying. I wanted to build something tangible, creative and entirely my own.

That realization actually started during the pandemic.

With remote work and lockdown keeping us close to home, I took on an ambitious list of projects we otherwise would have hired out. I built a two-story stone fireplace, remodeled an office, rebuilt stairs, and crafted several furniture pieces. Somewhere along the way, I discovered two things: I was capable of producing professional-level work and I found the hands-on work extremely gratifying.

After settling into our Colorado home, the projects became more ambitious and the designs more refined. With every build, I learned something new and pushed my craftsmanship a little further. Eventually, the decision became pretty simple.

Black Branch was born.

Today, my passion is transforming ordinary spaces into something distinctive. I build customized mudrooms, closets, fireplaces, built-ins, pantries, home offices, and other interior projects designed specifically around the way you live and the character of your home. I also create one-of-a-kind, heirloom-quality furniture—from sofa and end tables to dining tables and other custom pieces. Whenever the project calls for it, I love incorporating beautiful reclaimed wood, giving materials with a history an entirely new purpose. And because I fabricate my own metalwork alongside the woodwork, I have control over the entire process—from the first design concept to the final product. That means fewer moving parts, greater attention to detail, and one person ultimately responsible for your finished product.

I don't do production runs.

Every Black Branch project is built individually, with your home, your ideas, and your specifications in mind. The result isn't something pulled from a catalog. It's something created specifically for you. I also understand that inviting someone into your home to build something custom requires a great deal of trust. I've experienced firsthand how frustrating it can be when contractors miss deadlines, communicate poorly, cut corners, or simply stop answering.

That's not how I operate.

I believe craftsmanship is only part of the job. Showing up when I say I will, communicating throughout the process, keeping you informed, and taking genuine pride in the finished product matters just as much. My goal isn't simply to complete your project. It's to build something you're proud to have in your home—and to make the experience of getting there smooth and enjoyable.

I look forward to working with you and bringing your next project to life.

— Sean