Today’s post shares the works of local Charlotte furniture maker Terry Bopp, of Crafted Metal Designs. Terry puts a unique spin on the tables, benches and occasional pieces he makes by combining new and reclaimed metal and wood materials in inventive ways. With skills in both welding and woodwork, he can truly create just about anything! Terry’s creative spirit has him constantly exploring new ideas and experimenting with new materials. See his work and learn more about Crafted Metal Designs in this interview:
Coffee table made from reclaimed beams sourced at a local demolition site.
You specialize in metal fabrication and woodwork. Tell me how you learned your craft and how it evolved into a business.
Well, I have been doing metal fabrication since I was very young. My father owned a business that built and designed racecar chassis, so I learned from him how to work with metal. Woodworking did not come about until I was an adult. Building furniture literally started out as a hobby for me. A few years back, I wanted a reclaimed, barn wood style table for my house, so I built one! I also started displaying my pieces in various art shows around the Charlotte-metro area and acquired custom orders that way. A few of my friends began requesting custom furniture, and then I began meeting with local designers and representatives of local furniture stores. Since then, it has continued to snowball.
Bike corral for Birdsong Brewing. Crafted from recycled bike parts.
Reclaimed wood dining table with welded steel base.
You use a lot of reclaimed wood and recycled metal components. Where do you go to source materials?
99% of our materials come from Cabarrus county and the Charlotte area. We have been fortunate enough to partner with a lot of local general contractors who will call us while doing demolition on a house or updating older homes, buildings and barns. It’s from those job sites that we acquire our materials.
Glass coffee table with welded steel base.
What aspects of your work get you out of bed each morning? What do you find most fulfilling?
I’m fortunate enough to love my job! Whether it is working with a designer to build furniture for a single room or for an entire office space, or just building a single piece for a customer, I enjoy it all. The hours are long and some pieces require me to be meticulous, but when you love going to work each day, it makes it worth the while! I’m happy when my customers are happy.
Cypress table with welded steel base.
Which artists, artisans or styles would you say have been most influential in your work?
Good question! I have always been a big fan of Frances Elkins and a local artist named Chris Mcintosh. When I initially began building furniture and accessories, I was strongly influenced by the steampunk style and I have also always been a big fan of mid-century industrial pieces.
Desks and office furniture commissioned for Mountain Khakis. Interior design by Spenzac Interiors.
What has been your most challenging and/or interesting project to date? And please share an image.
About a year ago we worked with a designer named Kevin Mann, owner of Spenzac Interiors. We built 30 custom, mid-century industrial desks for a company called Mountain Khakis. That was our first large-scale job for a major company here in town. Mountain Khakis’ headquarters is located off of Morehead Street, in the old Pepsi plant, and they wanted to maintain the industrial feel of the original building. So it was amazing to see the entire project come together – the blending of the old, industrial building with the custom industrial desks!
Kitchen island with poplar top and welded, polished steel base.
Describe your dream project: what would you most like to make?
My overall dream project is to continue growing my business and the Crafted Metal Designs brand. I want to build quality, reclaimed furniture to meet everyone’s demand and budget. I don’t think nice things should be out of reach to anyone.
Welded steel bench
What advice do you have for someone interested in commissioning a piece of custom furniture from you?
Set up a meeting with me! We will make sure that our customer is 110% happy with the design, wash, stain, and everything else to do with the finished product!
For more information about Crafted Metal Designs, or to inquire about commissioning a custom piece, contact Terry Bopp at [email protected]. All photos courtesy of Terry Bopp.
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Tamara Leicester is a licensed interior designer and owner of Tamara Heather Interior Design, LLC. She designs casually elegant interiors with an artistic sensibility, often drawing upon the talent of local artists and craftspeople in her work. Dreaming about updating your space? Learn more at tamaraheatherinteriors.com.