About Us

About Against The Grain

Malachi Milbourn: ATG Founder and Woodsmith

Hello. My name is Malachi Saul Milbourn, the Woodworker. I truly love to create things, especially Farm Tables from Vintage Woods. I am a full-time Furniture-Maker blessed to have this opportunity. Bourn to be a Carpenter, you could say it runs in my blood. I learn to harness this trade by applying myself and by getting my hands dirty. Sometimes I can’t believe it’s possible to make a penny from your art. It definitely takes personal drive and the courage to put yourself out there. Lately, there has been noticeable optimism for the revival of Arts and Crafts. Working with your own two hands is a gratifying feeling. I am the sole proprietor of Against the Grain Furniture, and proud to own a small, sustainable furniture business in Oregon.

There are many decisions a designer has to execute in order to achieve a desired outcome. For this reason, Against the Grain furniture could never be mass produced, and every piece shows genuine style. In reality, it’s not a glamorous kind of job, but a very loving labor. There’s a crazy amount of time gone into removing metal from the wood and splinters from my hands. A whole lot of love goes into meticulously sanding and finishing reclaimed wood.

I missed the opportunity to work directly under my forefathers, although they handed down some really great, old school tools. Incorporating the traditional handcrafted methods of the past is where I find the creative inspiration to build Functional Artistic Furniture. Our pieces have a soulful look and feel to beautify your home, while also employing a more sustainable approach that respects our habitat.

Originally born in Yawkey, West Virginia, and primarily raised in Goshen, Indiana. My family moved to Phoenix, Arizona on my tenth year. The Southwest Desert was an awesome perspective of nature to grow up around. I have had many experiences exploring the geographical variances of Arizona and Southern California. However, after making my way to the Pacific Northwest, I find the difference of bio-diversity and wildlife outstanding. Oregon is a beautiful State and my heart belongs to this place forever.

My family tree branches out with artistry. My Mother brought me up in an influential household. She is a long time musician with a lovely voice. I have two talented older brothers Zachary & Gabriel, and an adorable younger sister Hannah. I am a college graduate with a strong interest in business. Love nature, being outside, sk8teboarding, yoga, live music, playing guitar, historical Volkswagens and Schwinn bicycles, chillin’ with friends and family, organic foods and gardening, good brew and coffee, and meeting cool people.

I am impressed and motivated by artisans of all kinds. Aside from working with wood, I admire and dabble in the mediums of glass, metal, ink, and paint. I love to listen to music while I’m in the workshop, including, Tool, Led Zeppelin, and the Lymbyc Systym. My favorite designers are the graphic artist M.C. Escher, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and woodworker Sam Maloof. I believe in living free, sustainably, and peacefully, as much as possible.

I always feel grateful for the positive energy received from my friends. My personal tribute goes out to Tiffany Korf (L.M.T.) for traveling with me from Arizona to Oregon, which was a novel decision! She is commemorated for helping me organize business operations behind the scenes. She works at Food Front Coop, a wonderful source for healthy foods and local products.

Honorable mentions go out to my woodworker friend, Kevin Poest, for handing down professional trade knowledge. He invited me to learn from his crafts and support the development of my own style. I’m also lucky for the business and marketing advice shared by my friend and web-designer Kim Stone, of Blink New Media in Eugene, Oregon.

Special thanks goes out to all of my Customers. To Aurora Mills for providing my reclaimed wood supply. To Powell’s Books and the Public Library for lending me a plethora of furniture making tips. To Woodcrafters for my woodworking tools and accessories. To Creative Woodworking NW for servicing my large dimensional wood shaping and architectural milling. To Land Ark NW for providing a Local Sustainable Finish that coats my wooden furniture and lets it breath.

I would like to thank my Mom and Dad, Melissa and Joseph Motola, for completely standing by my dreams. I dedicate my inherent work ethic to my Grandfather, David Milbourn (1913-2009). He instructed me how to appreciate and utilize tools at a young age. I was given the opportunity to experiment with many different tools if I was capable of taking care of them. From there, I have practiced applying my grandfather’s guidance and realized the potential of that discipline. Not only to make something well-made, challenging, and functional, but to create something that will remain in this world long after I’m gone. There is so much to be thankful for.

I hope to cross paths with you in the future. Peace.