Explore Our Workshop

Explore Our Workshop

About Us

ClearLake Furniture was founded in 1992 by master woodworker and Vermont furniture maker, Brent Karner. His commitment to detail and excellence is built into every piece created by the craftsmen of ClearLake Furniture.

At our beautifully restored barn in Ludlow, Vermont, you can come tour the workshop, talk with the craftsmen, and browse our 3,000 square-foot custom furniture gallery for ideas. Once you’ve chosen your style, size, wood, and finish, you can visit the stacks of raw hardwood with your craftsman and select the actual boards for your furniture. Since one craftsman attends to every detail of your furniture from start to finish, you can visit the furniture workshop at any time to chat with your craftsman and see the progress of your piece.

ClearLake Furniture is committed to delivering supreme quality, personal involvement, and full satisfaction to each and every one of our valued customers. Each piece of ClearLake Furniture is crafted with time-proven techniques such as interlocking joints, splined miters, and dovetails, it will become a treasured heirloom for generations to come. It is then signed by the craftsman, and dated along with your family name, creating an heirloom that will last for generations to come.

We are so confident of our materials and craftsmanship, we stand behind our work with the ClearLake Guarantee. We also offer the ClearLake Investment Program to protect your investment by enabling you to trade most of our standard hardwood furniture for new pieces in the future.

At ClearLake Furniture, we are committed to delivering supreme quality, personal involvement, and full satisfaction to each and every one of our valued customers.

At our beautifully restored barn in Ludlow, Vermont, you can wander through our workshop, talk with the craftsmen, and browse our 3,000 square-foot custom furniture gallery for ideas.Once you’ve chosen your style, size, wood, and finish, you can visit the stacks of raw hardwood with your craftsman and select the actual boards for your furniture. Also, since one craftsman attends to every detail of your furniture from start to finish, you can visit the furniture workshop at any time to chat with your Vermont craftsman and see the progress of your piece.

Since every piece of ClearLake Furniture is crafted with time-proven techniques such as interlocking joints, splined miters, and dovetails, it will become a treasured heirloom for generations to come. Each piece is signed by the craftsman and dated along with the owner’s family name. We are so confident of our materials and craftsmanship, we offer the ClearLake Guarantee. Also, because we know your style or circumstances may change over time, we offer the ClearLake Investment Program to protect your investment by enabling you to trade most of our standard hardwood furniture for a new piece.

Our Team

Each piece of furniture is handcrafted by one craftsman using techniques such as interlocking joints, splined miters, and dovetails. Our skilled and knowledgeable craftsmen will take the time to work with you and visit the stacks of hardwoods so you can personally select the wood for your furniture. Also, since one craftsman attends to every detail of your furniture from start to finish, you can visit the workshop at any time to chat with your craftsman and see the progress of your piece. After each piece is completed the craftsman signs and dates the piece with your family name creating a personalized heirloom that will last for generations to come.

Master Craftsman

Brent

Brent grew up in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. He attended Tewksbury public schools, Shawsheen Regional Vocational Tech. School in 1982, and in 1985 graduated from North Bennet Street School in Boston where he learned the art of fine woodworking. After graduating from North Bennet, prior to starting ClearLake Furniture, he spent many years crafting 18th and 19th century reproductions as well as contemporary furniture for clients throughout New England. From 1972 through1995, Brent spent his summers on staff at Deerfoot Lodge, a Christian camp for young men located in the Adirondack Mountains in Speculator, New York. Brent now serves on their Board of Directors. He lives on South Hill in Ludlow, Vermont with his wife, Abigail, their children, Thacher and Rachel.
Office Manager

Abi

Abi has been married to Brent for 35 years. She was born and raised in Lexington, MA. Abi went to school for drafting and worked in that field for many years. When the kids were young, she was a stay-at-home mom. She is a professional house cleaner as well as works at ClearLake Furniture. Currently, Brent and Abi enjoy their two cats Cooper and Ollie, as well as our dog Lily.
Craftsman/Finisher

James

James was born and raised in Rutland, Vermont. He enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and long rides on his Harley. James has worked in the trades since high school; everything from residential construction to fine window and door manufacturing. He has always wanted to build furniture so when the opportunity opened here for a finisher, he took it. James is both a finisher as well as a builder.
Bookkeeper

Lori

Craftsman

Mark

Mark was born and raised in Westbrookville, New York, in the Catskill Mountains. He studied abroad on the west coast of Sweden and attended the B.F.A. Theatre Design program at S.U.N.Y. Fredonia. Mark has lived in North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York making scenery and furnishings for theatre, film, live, and corporate events. Mark resides in Weathersfield, Vermont with his wife Erica, and daughters Aria and Anneka.
Craftsman

Paul

Paul was born and grew up in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Upon graduating from Gordon College, he joined his father-in-law’s construction company and worked as a carpenter and builder for 16 years. After selling his business in Greenwich, he moved permanently to Vermont. He has a great interest in working with wood and the opportunity to work at ClearLake is a dream come true. Paul lives in Middletown Springs with his wife, Toni, and son, Wesley.
Master Craftsman

Steve

Steve grew up in Weathersfield, Vermont and graduated from Springfield High School followed by three years in the US Navy as a builder. He has worked in the woodworking trade as a carpenter, cabinet maker, and furniture builder for 30 years. Steve currently lives in Fair Haven with his wife, Dee Dee.
Master Craftsman

Doug

Doug grew up in Fairlawn, Ohio and lived in Denver and Breckenridge, Colorado where he worked in the ski industry for many years. He attended Ohio University and Colorado Mountain College. Doug has been working with wood for many years and finds it very rewarding. Doug lives in Ludlow, Vermont with his 2 sons Austin & Hunter.
Craftsman

Arthur

Arthur was born & raised in Vermont. He currently resides in Springfield Vt with his 2 daughters, Luci & Eva. Arthur has enjoyed working with wood since high school.