Steel Heart: William got a boost when one of his early designs caught the attention of Facebook. The social media company ordered a custom version of his Yoshi coffee table, a geometric web of steel rods supporting a Formica top, for the ice cream shop in its California headquarters. "Our stuff really jumps out at you, because it's really bright and playful," says William.
Material World: Prototypes, called jigs, of various sharp-angled legs and parts hang like puzzle pieces on the wall of Moderncre8ve's shop. They help streamline the cutting process and act as a guide. "A lot of what happens here is just experimenting with different materials, ideas and ways of putting things together," says Brockett.
Maker's Mark: Each month, Moderncr8ve receives more than 100 pieces of rolled steel from the Metal Store in Maple Heights and around 2,000 black walnut boards from Dryco Lumber in Applecreek. "It's just a beautiful wood," says William, who inspects each batch for knots. "It has all different kinds of tones to it."
Home Grown: William and Brockett fill their homes with trial products before putting them up for sale. Each piece carries subtle details that are personally symbolic. The Brockett ($3,300), an 84-by-33-inch dining table has accents made from purpleheart wood — a favorite of Brockett's daughter because of its violet hue. "There are a lot of things in there you don't see," he says. "But they're in there for a reason."
Yoshi, $800
This coffee table doubles as a modern work of art with its seafoam powder-coated steel support, which looks like electrical wiring, underneath a base of sleek solid black walnut.
MORE INFO: moderncre8ve.com
