My Favorite Englishman And Afternoon Tea

A Tea with a Master Craftsman

I had to take a moment this afternoon to share about an amazing man I’m fortunate enough to know: Michael Brown. Michael isn’t just a client of mine; he’s one of my makers—and I am so thankful for him. Hailing from England, Michael has a charming tradition of enjoying a spot of tea every afternoon. Today, I had the honor of hosting him for a tea at my little country home, and I couldn’t have been more excited.

My daughter, Emmalyn, was absolutely thrilled at the idea of having a tea party of her own. It turned into a wonderful afternoon of laughter, connection, and, of course, delicious tea.

Now, let me tell you a bit more about Michael. Not only is he an Englishman with impeccable taste, but he is also an extraordinary woodworker. He crafts Windsor chairs by hand, with so much care, precision, and love. Each chair is made using traditional woodworking tools, requiring skill, patience, and a whole lot of grit. I’m constantly in awe of his work. Take a look at some of his incredible craftsmanship—you’ll need a rag to catch the drool! Trust me.

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For the past year, I’ve had the privilege of being Michael’s branding and design guru. His chairs and commissioned pieces are absolutely to die for. Honestly, I could stare at his work all day—those beautiful curves, the perfect craftsmanship, the elegance in simplicity. It’s a blessing to work with such an inspiring maker.

Last year, we visited his amazing home and studio, and today, before Michael arrived, I had a little idea. I knew that Michael had made a few prototypes before settling on his signature chair design, and I thought, Why not ask if he has an old one he might be willing to part with?

For a while now, my back has been aching from long nights of work. Even though I see a chiropractor weekly, I was fed up with my old $15 office chair (yes, Durham Rescue Mission for the win—love thrift store finds, no shame here!). So, I reached out to Michael and asked if he might have an old chair for sale. I was prepared to pay whatever price he gave me, but I was not prepared for the blessing he had in store.

Michael gifted me the most stunning Windsor office chair I’ve ever laid eyes on! And guess what? It’s already given me the much-needed back relief I’ve been longing for. I can’t even begin to express how blessed I am to be surrounded by such incredible people. Michael’s kindness and generosity have truly touched my heart, and I will forever be grateful for both his friendship and this thoughtful gift.

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