What started as a daydream on a sunny afternoon…
Black Crate’s first project was built in a driveway in the Sunset District of San Francisco with some borrowed tools and a few namesake black milk crates repurposed as tables. We now specialize in the design and fabrication of unique pieces of furniture for both residential and commercial spaces.
We strive to make custom goods that will age with grace and last for generations. There are few things more satisfying than seeing a design go from an intangible dream to an integral part of our daily lives.
Black Crate’s founder, Adam Alspaugh, was first exposed to woodworking at a young age by his great-grandpa Sam whose workshop was filled with beautifully crafted musical instruments, big hunks of oak and maple turned on a lathe, and perfectly organized cubbies and drawers. After learning the basics from his dad and grandpas on both sides of the family, Adam soon started collecting tools of his own, some passed down for generations.
You can now find his pieces across the states and abroad with a style leaning toward a minimal and chunky aesthetic with clean lines and eye-catching curves. Utility and simplicity are paramount. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said it best:
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”