Learn about Woodford
–Woodford Woodworking Co.
Our Story
At Woodford, we design with style, always anchored by structural integrity. Every piece moves through the same process: design, refinement, then build. We don’t rush a step to get to the next one.
What we build is meant to last, trusted for generations, not just seasons. That standard shapes every decision we make, from the wood we source to the joinery we choose. What we build today is Crafted To Endure.
–Woodford Woodworking Co.
Drew Wolford
Five years ago, I set out to learn from master craftsmen, absorbing more than technique. Working alongside them taught me as much about what to avoid as what to pursue, sharpening my standards before I ever built under my own name. My background as a biologist shaped how I look at wood itself, understanding grain, growth, and structure in ways that carry into every piece I build, work that aims to be timeless, balanced, and enduring.
Along the way, I built a clear standard for how my work should be designed and made. I wanted furniture I could fully stand behind, made the right way instead of the easy way, built with the kind of care that holds up for decades, not just seasons. With the support of family and friends, and a deep respect for process, that standard became Woodford Woodworking Co.
Craftsmanship, science, and an eye trained behind the camera each shaped the way I build today. No shortcuts. No compromises.
–Drew Wolford
Founder, Woodford Woodworking Co.
– Woodford Woodworking Co.
Henry Vangunten
Henry brings over ten years of experience from Phoenix Hardwoods, where he trained under master craftsmen and built the foundation for a career as a fine woodworker. Alongside that, he spent the past ten years at Little River Lumberyard working under Bill Graefe, learning the full process behind the wood itself: how to cut, dry, and sell lumber. He’s local to Christiansburg, having grown up in nearby Floyd, Virginia.
As a stool and chair expert, Henry is the head of Woodford’s seating department, bringing his dual background, the craft of building and the knowledge of the material itself, into every piece he touches. Whether he’s leading a build or working alongside Drew, he holds the same standard: no shortcuts, no compromises.
– Little River Lumberyard
Bill & Corinne Graefe
Bill and Corinne own Little River Lumberyard in Floyd, Virginia, where they’ve been sourcing fine Appalachian hardwoods since 2000, specializing in salvaged and responsibly harvested timber. They’re more than suppliers, they’re advisors and mentors Drew turns to for both wood and guidance, sharing their deep knowledge of wood selection, milling, and the craft itself. That relationship has shaped the way Drew works and the standard he holds for every piece of lumber that comes into the shop.
–Metalwork Collaborator
Mike Whitlock
Mike spent years as shop foreman for Crenshaw Lighting, an extremely high end custom lighting company in Floyd, Virginia, where he built a reputation as a master welder. That precision carries into every collaboration with Drew, anytime a piece calls for metal, from steel bases to structural work, Mike is who Drew brings in.
– Woodworking Advisor
Ernest Bryant
With over 50 years of experience in woodworking and carving, Ernest has built everything from highly intricate chairs to detailed carved head busts for clients, work that reflects a level of skill few ever reach. Drew turns to him for counsel on the hardest problems. On a recent, highly intricate outdoor dining table, Ernest’s guidance shaped both the design and the fabrication, work that mattered as much as any pair of hands in the shop.
– Thank you
Haley
Special thanks to my wife, Haley, whose support carries me through every decision and every challenge. None of this happens without her.
– Head of Morale
Benson
Benson doesn’t build furniture, but he’s there for every long day in the shop, keeping morale up one nap at a time.
