What We Do

Set In Stone is a bespoke fabrication + design studio located in beautiful Chattanooga TN. We harness the inherent good of concrete, wood, and steel for our clients in commercial and residential spaces. Modern concrete isn’t what it used to be. It can be cast thinner while being stronger, it is much more flexible and lighter than ever before. Concrete, wood, and steel are all beautiful materials in their own right, but become more than the sum of their parts when artfully brought together and provide excellent solutions for a variety of needs. Our mission is to bring your ideas to life with the highest quality possible.

A Small Rant

We believe in a culture that values the individual and the work of their hand. We believe hard graft yields character and rich lives. Our lives are so much more than what we own, and what we own should be so much more than just stuff. Aren’t we nauseated by massed produced plastic perfection that is here today and tossed tomorrow; slowly killing us inside and out? The fabrication and business of hand crafted goods connects us to our own humanity and to each other’s. We are doing more than just making “stuff”. We are challenging our modern cynicism and jaded consumer culture. We feel that our work tells a story of locality, community, and life. it is a reflection of our shared humaness.

Who We Are

managing craftsman with sweat on his brow looking serious — Nathan

Set In Stone was borne of Nathan's creative impetus. He handles all things business (estimating, ordering, payroll, billing, etc.) but still manages to make time to get out of the office and into the shop. When he was young, Nathan spent time crawling under houses and clamoring on roofs alongside his grandfather. It was through these times with his grandfather that he learned to love working with his hands and gained an appreciation for construction systems. Through the years since then, Nathan has come to believe that we (as individuals and as a society) are to contribute in the ongoing creation of the world; leaving our spaces of influence for the better...invariably and holistically. This conviction is evident for Nathan personally, socially, spiritually, and environmentally. Nathan is a classic example of still waters running deep. He may be a man of few words, but his life and relationships speak of richness and integrity. One of his favorite recent projects was a steel gate clad in plate steel for a dumpster enclosure. Though he enjoyed the challenge of the fabrication, what he appreciated most was creating something beautiful in a location typically overlooked, like a dumpster enclosure. It is this attention to detail that layers richness into our lives and environments.

Away from the shop, you will find him and his family taking advantage of the outdoor activities in and around Chattanooga and occasionally in Durango, CO. He also takes pleasure in the simple things, like a strong cup of coffee and a good book. If you are in need of a solid reliable collaborator, then Nathan is your guy.

an experienced woodworker with a bemused expression — Joel

Joel is our principle woodworker. He is the dust covered, crotchety guy in the corner. Just kidding (*sort of*). He is actually usually deep in thought or lost in some convoluted calculation. Joel is a true craftsman. His hands and head work in unison to create pieces that are strong, attractive and will last a lifetime. He prefers working wood by hand, leaving the machines quiet. This leaves space for a particular attention and awareness that allows him to best utilize the material’s natural strength and beauty. Machines have their place, but his wisdom is in knowing where that place is. Joel's favorite pieces to work on are dining tables. He sees them as tangible reminders that community is fostered over good food. His favorite tool is a Paolini Pocket Rule, not only because of its precise and true measurement but because it is a fine piece of workmanship in of itself.
Born and raised on Lookout Mountain, Joel’s local roots run deep. When he is not in the studio, you can find him resurrecting neglected motorcycles, reading a classic novel (don’t even get him started on the state of modern literature), or hanging out with his wife and daughters.

young concrete craftsman with messy long hair and a pensive expression — Austin

Austin is one of our primary concrete craftsmen and something of a Swiss Army knife around the studio. He gets done whatever needs getting done. He holds down the fort and keeps things on track. He is one of these guys that is in the moment; embracing not only the his craft and material, but also the feel, the smell and the sound of the work. He is a man of passion and deep appreciation; working with his hands seems to be the articulation of this passion and appreciation. His favorite concrete tool is the 4 inch wet polisher. It is this tool that reveals the beauty beneath the surface of concrete and allows for the final finessing of shape. Otherwise his favorite tool is the combination square, because who doesn't love a good combination square?
When he is not in the studio he is loving life with his wife and son, working on a side project or skating around Chattanooga. Not only is he a man of passion, and diverse interests but also of faith. His love of Jesus permeates, maybe even instigates, his enthusiasm for his creative endeavors.
Austin comes from a long line of tradesmen. Learning a lot from his dad early on, he has also worked with Nathan since he was 15, and taught himself through trial and error on his own projects. Where would any of us be without Youtube tutorials (am I right)? His favorites are the projects that mix materials and are spatially challenging. So bring on whatever beautiful crazy ideas you have; Austin is itching to get his hands dirty.

young concrete craftsman with a smirky smile in a hoody — Blake

Blake is one of our primary concrete craftsmen, a jack of all trades, work horse of the shop, putting in the hours and putting out the goods. His hands are the hands that bring your piece to life and he has the fingernails prove it. You will regularly find him handfuls of concrete or skillfully finishing a piece of work. His history with concrete began when he was 14 working on a commercial concrete line pump. Needless to say, Blake's choices in material and craft have been refined through the years. Since his days on the pump line he has done a variety of interesting work, including jewelry making. He talks fondly of how his dad taught him to give 100% to everything and to not be intimidated by what he doesn't know, after all, skills can be acquired along the way. This approach is possibly the single most valuable characteristic of someone here at Set In Stone; a fearlessness in leveraging one's skills in order to push into new creative terrains. These are the keys to living richly and keeping things real.
Blake grew up in the Chattanooga area, in Hixson and Soddy Daisy. And can still be found roaming the roads on his motorcycle, tooling around town on his bike or taking in a local concert. Like the rest of us, he is passionate about creating objects that are not only beautiful but are enriching to people's lives. When asked what his favorite tool was he said that he has a special affinity for his respirator (seeing how he wears it all day), but really loves applying the sealer and bringing out the richness of final piece; this is something like a big reveal. Blake has put the time in and continues to put the time in to bring you a beautiful and quality solution for your needs.

metal fabricator in work shirt with glasses and tattoos — Chuck

Officially, Chuck is our metal fabricator, but really he is the shop’s sweetheart. He is one of the kindest and most genuine people you will meet (something that surprises many considering his penchant for ink and steel). But being our fabricator means he’s the guy wearing the mask hunched over with fire in his hands. He’s been in Chattanooga for about 16 years. Originally coming for a tattoo apprenticeship but found superheated metal too enticing to leave alone. (That’s a thing right? Trading skincraft for steelcraft?) For over a decade he has worked as a structural fabricator and decorative metalworker. He’s payed his dues, honed his craft and now our clients and good friends reap the benefits. Chuck deeply enjoys the process of metalworking. The creative problem solving, the immediacy of attention, the tools in hand; all make Chuck a happy man, especially when the math adds up and the geometry speaks of truth..