About Us

BirchBarn Designs is a custom countertop and artisan gift shop located in the coastal town of Scituate, MA. Husband and wife team Matt and Shelley Swanson handcraft dozens of unique and personalized home goods using both domestic and exotic hardwoods.

Founded in 2013, BirchBarn Designs grew from a love for colorful wood, slow-smoked BBQ and craft beer. Over the years, we have created dozens of artisan gifts across a four-tier product line: ChopServeDrink & Live. We also design and build custom wood countertops, tables, desks, floating mantles and floating shelves. These custom pieces are designed to fit your family’s needs and your home’s unique space.

From cutting boards and countertops to beer caddies and barware, we offer a wide range of products for the home. And all of these pieces can be engraved and personalized with a monogram, last name or wedding date, for a truly memorable gift.

We enjoy designing custom wood pieces that will be enjoyed daily and cherished for years to come. Check out our Inspiration Gallery and Gift Guide for timeless gift ideas.

Matt Swanson | Founder & Head Carpenter

Matt Swanson of BirchBarn Designs

Matt Swanson, the designer and lead carpenter behind BirchBarn Designs, brings over a decade of experience to his current woodworking practice. Matt cut his teeth remodeling houses and building custom cabinetry. One day, he purchased a second-hand planer to make a cutting board for his wife, Shelley, as a wedding present. The rest, as they say, is history.

Matt is a man of many talents and interests, a few of which include smoking meat, chopping wood and building fires. On any given day, you can find him gluing up exotic wood pieces, smoking brisket, splitting wood in the yard, or teaching his toddler to hold a hammer. But his best days are spent lounging on a Scituate beach with his wife and daughter.

Shelley Swanson | Director of Marketing & Online Operations

BirchBarn Designs Showroom

After a successful career in legal marketing, Shelley happily switched gears to support Matt’s entrepreneurial venture. With over a decade of experience in strategic marketing and business development, Shelley loves using her creative talents to continue expanding their family business.

Shelley oversees the company’s sales, marketing, and online branding campaigns, while seeking new opportunities to showcase BirchBarn Designs’ handcrafted products. Most days you can find her meeting with customers, researching the latest marketing trends, and over-sharing on social media. But her favorite days are the ones spent chasing her toddler (and husband!) on the beach.

Behind the Barn Doors

Catch a glimpse behind the scenes at our local workshop, or check out this Chronicle news segment featuring BirchBarn Designs and several other Scituate businesses.

the making of a cutting board

Visit Us

We welcome visitors! Swing by our retail shop & showroom anytime. Doors are open Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm at the address below. Or call us anytime at 781-923-0739.

It's our birthday! Enjoy 15% off your order! Offer expires 11/6. Use code: bday
holiday gift guide
HOLIDAY FLASH SALE !!

For a limited time only, many of your favorites are deeply discounted. But HURRY! Sale ends Friday 12/8