Conversations with Jim Braverman

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jim Braverman.

Hi Jim, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Hawaii to ride the big waves right out of high school. I originally built surfboards for ready cash, having many contacts in that industry, but I wanted to move into something more healthy and sustainable with room for endless growth. My neighbor, Alan Wilkinson, had created a successful business building the most beautiful furniture out of the local Hawaiian hardwoods, which he sold out of an upscale art gallery that he owned in Honolulu.

He employed 4 or 5 local surfers, and they had their workshop right on the water in front of the most famous surf spot in the world, “Pipeline” (Ehukai Beach State Park). Wanting to join the crew, I worked up the courage to approach Alan (he was a bit of a legend on the North Shore of Oahu) and ask for a job. He abruptly replied (deadpan)… give me two years of your life. There began an apprenticeship and friendship that continues to this day.

I poured myself into the trade and, within a year’s time, became shop foreman- training new employees and doing the more difficult pieces slated for Alan that he did not have the time for. I married the next year, moved back to the mainland, and started my own studio furniture business. Originally, we moved to Santa Cruz, CA, and most of my work and contacts spanned from the Monterey Bay through Silicon Valley and up to San Francisco.

In 1994, we moved to Colorado, where I continued building furniture. Mostly, my work was done for Denver and the mountain communities. A decorator near Wash Park introduced me to an Art Dealer in Telluride, and my business took off in earnest. Though continuing to do work on the West Coast and the mountain communities, it has been my Denver clientele that has kept me the most busy.

I have been lucky enough to do whole house jobs for both leaders in the business and sports world, and my business is still enjoying success. I recently created a spinoff line of furniture, solely tables, called (you guessed it) Denver Tables.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Since I started building furniture in Colorado, I have never gone a week without work. On the other hand, it has been a constant learning process to better my work and provide a great experience for the customer.

Any problems would stem from incomplete communication. Custom Furniture is a highly detailed process. Through trial and error, I have learned to refine my communication process to eliminate what could have been a problem in the past.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I believe our personal spaces define who we are, both to ourselves and the rest of the world. I help people bring the vision of their personal space to life. It is a highly collaborative work, and WORK it is, but when it comes off right, it is a time for celebration!

My biggest contribution is being a good listener and being resourceful enough to bring their vision to life. Though mainly a woodworker and designer (my formal training), I have learned to work with many mediums (metal, glass, paint, acrylic, etc.) to produce whatever is needed.

This sets me apart from others in this field who may get stuck on a certain design type or material. This is also what I love about this work. What also has been fun is learning (from some of the amazing architects and interior designers I have been blessed to collaborate with) a real sense of both space planning and color.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Of course, it has changed a bit in the last 20-odd years, but I have always loved walking up to some random bar in Denver and being surrounded by and taken up into conversation with the most unlikely parade of characters…. an Artist sitting next to a businessman, sitting next to a Cowboy, sitting next to a ski bum and on and on ha!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://denvertables.com/
• Instagram: @denvertables and @bravermanfurniture
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066676496100