Mason Cooley and Summer Merritt met while they were both living on the West Coast. After years of life there, they decided it was time to pull up the stakes and find somewhere with more space and a slower pace of life. They came to Western North Carolina and settled just outside of Weaverville where, today, they operate Pride & Archive. This small studio focuses on custom, modern handmade furniture and design objects. Both Mason and Summer have backgrounds in art and design. Their similar backgrounds give functional and sculptural influences to the work they create.
Furniture work from Pride & Archive is produced from hardwoods with a modern flare. Each piece is designed for both function and art. Their jewelry is made to become a part of the wearer’s life and habits. Summer works to share information about the woods she uses, including care instructions and origins. Aside from standard designs, they also do custom work and sometimes collaborate on larger residential and commercial projects.
Pride & Archive sits on two acres with a meadow and a barn. Visitors can see the inner workings of the studio and a showroom that features examples of work including small to medium sized hardwood tables, birdhouses, rain gauges, salad tongs, and napkin ring holders. Pride & Archive also specializes in small, functional smoking pipes made from white oak, osage orange, or bocote as well as one-of-a-kind jewelry made from exotic hardwoods. Mason also offers workshops in making bamboo-frame bicycles.
Open by Appointment
