BROOKS COCHRAN
OWNER & OPERATOR OF MOUNT BAKER CUSTOM WOODWORKING
When I was twenty years old, I decided to follow a career in commercial union masonry. The tactile nature of constructing something with my own hands appealed to me, however, after ten years in the field I knew I had even more to offer.
At this time, an old friend reached out to ask me to travel to Missouri with him. The idea was to invest in a saw-mill and black walnut tree which had become available. Initially, I was hesitant about leaving my work behind for this new adventure– but in the back of my mind, I was excited. With the support of my wife, Jennifer, I left for Missouri and came back with more than just a trailer full of beautiful walnut slabs, but the seeds of my woodworking passion as well.
Once I began on this journey, I couldn’t bring myself to stop. Jennifer and I kept looking for more and more ways we could become further involved in all aspects of this creative vocational area.
Soon, my brother, Lee, and I became interested in reclamation. What started as a simple curiosity has now grown into a passion for ‘saving’ historic barn wood and their stories. More and more families are finding that this wood with built-in-character and long history makes a unique addition to their homes in the form of furniture, frame houses, veneers, floors, and more.
What inspires us the most is how every piece of wood we work with has a rich history attached to it. There is nothing better than when the owners of old barns share the structure’s history with us– a privilege we know is reserved for only a few.
Beyond barns, each tree which passes through our mill has its own story to tell. From actual figuring in the wood, to the passion and story in people’s eyes as they speak about how ‘this old fallen tree just can’t go to waste, it’s been on our property for years…’ This is my wife’s favorite part of our business. When you are working with wood, you are working with something alive which has inevitably touched many lives and will continue to do so for years to come.
Today, I continue to push my creative boundaries. Jennifer and I are working on our dream of combining woodworking with masonry, turning trees into beautiful live edge slab tables, bar tops, stools, chairs, and beyond. Taking reclaimed barn wood and repurposing it to give a family and a home newfound character and history through custom furniture, flooring, siding, veneers, and so much more.