Kevin Hughes’ pedigree is carved in wood instead of stone. When you look at his work, you’re gazing at hundreds of years of heritage.
The proprietor of An Crann Furniture in Asheville is a 7th-generation artisan from Kilkenny, Ireland. He specializes in handcrafted commercial and private work, including custom-made cabinetry, furniture, bookcases, bars, and mantels.
“An Crann” is Gaelic and translates to “The Tree” — representing the relationship between trees and wood, as well as the family tree that has passed along a traditional Irish craft. Carolina Home + Garden caught up with Hughes recently to ask about his journey as a woodworker.
Carolina Home + Garden: How did you find your way to Asheville?
Kevin Hughes: The love of a good woman, my wife Blue [a hair stylist at Willow’s Dream], brought me to Western North Carolina. Her parents have a cabin in Burnsville, so we decided on Asheville as a stepping stone, and we’ve been here ever since.
So … seven generations?
It probably goes back even further, but seven is as far back as my family can trace it for sure. Unfortunately, I never met my grandfather, who passed before I was born. But I’ve always wished I could have, as he was a gifted woodworker and had a great eye for furniture.
He and your ancestors built and maintained the village mill, including the wooden cogs and gears that ran it.
Yes — my uncles were the last to work in the mill as woodworkers before it closed. They went on to become carpenters and joiners. Occasionally, my uncle, who’s retired now, restores and rehabs old mills across Ireland. I was lucky enough to work under him during a couple of restorations.
What distinguishes your particular designs?
There are three main things that are always in my furniture — clean lines, craftsmanship, and functionality. Traditional Irish furniture is extremely functional, with subtle details, and is built to last by using traditional joinery. There is a reason that nearly every family in Ireland has an old hutch or farmhouse table passed down from generation to generation.
What kinds of woodworking projects are the most rewarding or challenging for you?
This may sound clichéd, but it’s usually the current project that I’m working on that I’m most proud of. Right now I’m finishing up a silver-maple slab table; my client fell in love with this piece of wood when she saw it at the lumberyard.
What does the future hold for An Crann?
The next step is to continue with the custom, commissioned work but also look at making some pieces and get them into galleries across the USA. I’ve also got a wee boy who just turned one. He loves to play with the wood shavings — hopefully he’ll still like it in 16 years and decide to continue on the tradition.
Visit ancrannfurniture.com or call 828-318-4134 for more information.