A Vermont Story

Meet Randy and Bruce on a perfect day for the Vermont Sleigh Company. (QuickTime Movie)

Vermont’s full of stories about people who are inspired by their surroundings and their heritage to create something truly unique — just like the place they call home. Like the story of these two exceptional craftsmen whose crossed paths led to the creation of a remarkable partnership.

And to think, it started by accident.

Randy Crossman, a seventh-generation Vermonter and antique furniture restorer, and Bruce Marston, a custom cabinet and furniture maker, had never met before, but in 1995 they would. While looking for a space in the Rutland area in which to practice their respective wood crafts, they independently found the same location and got in touch with the landlord.

Imagine their surprise when Bruce arrived to move only to learn that Randy was already using the place full-time. (Randy, Bruce was told, was only going to be there occasionally) It turned out that the landlord leased the place to both of them, for whatever reason - the two were literally thrown together.

So they agreed to share the space, and imagine their surprise again when they realized how much they had in common. Both were highly accomplished craftsmen with a deep respect for traditional hand-made methods. Both were well versed in 19th century furniture styles. But the clincher was that both had a love of old-fashioned sleighs.

That’s when they were inspired to go into business to bring exceptional skill and tradition - qualities of a bygone age - to contemporary country home décor. And what started with a coincidence, became the surprise that developed into the partnership at the heart of the Vermont Sleigh Company.