TimberFire Studio is comprised of Joe Adams and Erich Elfeldt who have been best friends since childhood.
They both had strong father figures who raised them to understand the value of working with your hands. Their appreciation for the arts came from their mothers who made a concerted effort to expose them to museums, classical music, architecture, and theater.
The genesis of Joe’s artistic journey began at Houston’s prestigious High School for the Performing & Visual Arts where he split time between playing in the symphony orchestra and studying black & white photography. He studied Photojournalism at the University of Houston before eventually graduating with a business degree.
Erich attended Bellaire High School where he studied architectural drafting. His understanding of the classical orders and modern design has been invaluable in their work. Erich is a combat veteran who served as a forward scout in the 101st Airborne during the first Gulf War.
After pursuing separate professional career paths, Joe and Erich formed Deep Creek Builders in 1998 and specialized in delivering exceptional quality renovations to high-end clients. Our motto was “Quality Built on Integrity” which was an ethical mantra that guided us to be the exception and always operate in an honorable manner despite the industry's reputation to the contrary.
Joe and Erich share a lifelong passion for woodworking and in 2013 they formed TimberFire Studio and transitioned to creating original furniture, lighting, and home décor.
Their work has received numerous accolades as referenced below.
AWARDS:
2023 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Best Art Style
2022 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Best Craftsmanship
2022 Western Design Conference - Best Artist (Home Accents)
2021 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Best Art Style
2020 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Best Texas Style
2018 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Judge’s Special Award
2017 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Judge’s Special Award
2016 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Founder’s Award
2015 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Judge’s Special Award
2015 Texas Furniture Makers Show - Honorable Mention
HONORS:
2022 The Woodlands Public Art Project - Design Finalist Outdoor Bench
2021 Western Design Conference - Featured Artist
2020 Texas Works Awards - Finalist in Artisan Workshop Category
2017 NICHE Awards - Finalist in Wood Décor
PUBLICATIONS:
2023 Big Sky Journal - Home Issue “Best of the West”
2023 Western Art & Architecture - Feb/Mar Issue “Things We Love”
2023 Woodworker West Magazine - Jan/Feb Issue, Pages 10 & 21
2022 Fine Woodworking Magazine - April Issue #295, Page 68
2022 Woodworker West Magazine - Jan/Feb Issue, Page 18
2021 Voyage Houston Online Magazine - January 26 (Daily Inspiration Feature)
2021 Woodworker West Magazine - Jan/Feb Issue, Page 21
2020 Artsy Shark Online Magazine - Spring Issue, Featured Artist
2017 HGTV Home Town - Season 1, Episode 6 “Tripod Lamp”
StatementTimberFire Studio is the longtime collaboration of two artists, Joe Adams and Erich Elfeldt, whose passion for craftsmanship results in heirloom quality functional art accompanied by numerous professional accolades. Working in unity, we combine our individual talents into a powerful creative synergy.
Joe and Erich are intimately involved in every step of the process from inception to completion. We refer to our original designs as “Art Forged in Wood” because they deliver both beauty and function. Our signature furniture pieces are visually compelling with clean lines, judicious use of negative space and meticulous attention to detail.
TimberFire Studio’s work has been repeatedly recognized for excellence at the annual Texas Furniture Makers Show as well as the Western Design Conference in Jackson, Wyoming. It has been featured on HGTV's Home Town and in the pages of Western Art & Architecture, Big Sky Journal, Fine Woodworking, and Woodworker West.
Our projects range from western flair to urban contemporary to custom commissions and always reflect a sense of refined elegance. We’re not interested in building traditional styles and replicating established forms from centuries past. Instead, we’re trying to invent new objects that are elite, beautiful and built to stand the test of time.
