Jacob Wener, founder of Modern Industry.
In Sarasota, skilled furniture makers are turning their passion for craftsmanship into legacy custom designs. These artisans bring a personal touch to every piece, blending traditional techniques with modern aesthetics and living. As they shape wood, metal and other materials by hand, they create pieces that reflect the natural beauty of their raw materials while offering something truly one-of-a-kind for their clients.
Modern Industry’s Jacob Wener, 42, who’s been in the industry since 2006, moved to the area post-pandemic, in July 2022, after reevaluating Chicago’s frigid winters and asking the question that leads many of us to the Sunshine State: “What am I doing in the cold?” We talked to Wener about his background, his style, what’s on trend and what he has up his sleeve for the future. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Wener’s “Serif” desk in walnut and steel.
How would you define your style and how has it evolved since moving to town?
“In Chicago, my work was influenced by the city’s industrial vibe. Here, I’m leaning towards a nature-inspired contemporary style. I’ve always had a connection to nature, and being in this environment, I’m excited to explore the possibilities that the Gulf offers.”
Tell us about your background and how you got started.
“I was born in Minneapolis, went to school in Kansas and moved to Chicago after graduation. I started my business there and lived there for 16 or 17 years before moving here with my wife and kids.”
“My interest in woodworking started when I was a child. My grandfather had a woodworking shop in his basement, and my dad was a machinist and aircraft mechanic. Anything he could fix or build, he would. I ended up going to school for architecture, but I found that furniture design was a better fit.
“I still got my bachelor’s in architecture and found that a lot of the things I learned also applied to furniture design: drawing, drafting, understanding [how to scale a] space, how humans intersect with their environment, and how design isn’t just function but sets a mood. Certain choices, like finish or texture, register at a subconscious level.”
Do you have a public space where people can see your work?
“I have a 2,200-square-foot shop in north Sarasota where I do metalwork and other artistic projects. It’s not a showroom—it’s a working space, so it’s dusty and functional. I open it by appointment for whoever might be interested in seeing where the magic happens.”
Solid walnut dining chairs.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
“I love combining wood and metal, but I also enjoy working with leather and stone. The specific types of wood I use change over time, but right now, I’m really into white oak and bleached walnut. The lighter, sun-kissed look fits well with the environment here, as opposed to the darker, industrial vibe that was more popular in Chicago. It’s lighter here, and you’re surrounded by things that are washed out naturally, like shells and sand. It transfers to the work.”
A media cabinet in walnut and blackened steel.
What trends are you seeing in furniture design?
“I’m happy to see the trends moving away live-edge tables and river tables, which were popular for a while. They started trending in early 2010 and it became an epoxy wav—people buying epoxy and pouring it between two pieces of wood, with hands-on classes, often incorporated bright blues. I’ve always rallied against it.
“Now, there’s more of a focus on a softer, abstract interpretation of nature in design. We’re not abandoning natural elements, but we’re integrating them in more subtle and creative ways. There’s also a rise in mixing materials, like fabric-wrapped table legs or stone integrated into table bases, which adds a unique touch.”
“We’re not foregoing natural elements, but [a design] doesn’t have to be half a tree cut into a table. It can be more of an allusion to nature. We’re also seeing some new ways to integrate materials in different ways. Instead of a stone top table, you’ll see stone worked into the base or on a leg, rather than just a slab. Tambour is big too, which includes fluting and half-round shapes as table bases, headboards and wall paneling. I’m also seeing asymmetry, but within balance.”
One of Wener’s custom dining tables, which he says “are a big hit.”
What are some of your most popular pieces, and what do they cost?
“Dining tables are a big hit, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for family at home use, but they can go up to six figures for a large corporate conference table which might seat 30. Coffee tables typically start around $1,500, and chairs are about $450 to $500 each, depending on the materials. The build time for custom pieces is usually 12 to 16 weeks.
“I also build a lot of sideboards and wall-mounted TV cabinets. The pandemic ushered in tons of desks, bar carts and home theater furniture. It was interesting to see how people were nesting.”
A desk with a built-in clock and pen holder.
What do you think big box stores get right or wrong in furniture design?
“Big box stores serve a purpose, and I have no issue with them—I even have a couch from Costco! However, there’s a predictability in mass-produced items that can get a little boring. I believe interior design, like fashion, should include a mix of investment pieces, vintage finds and more accessible items. It’s about creating a space that reflects who you are.
“Our home is outfitted in things that I loved but weren’t commercially successful among the stuff I built for my family, specifically, mixed in with dining chairs from Target. You can’t compete with off-the-shelf stuff in price. Where my value stands as a maker is turning dreams into reality and helping out people who can’t find what’s in their heads. Or maybe they see it but want it with drawers. Whatever need the client has, we carve out a space for saying ‘yes.'”
A unit made of oxidized walnut and patinated steel.
Who are your typical clients?
“A lot of them come through interior designers and architects, and my aesthetic tends to attract a younger crowd. In Chicago, it was often younger families with designers who had money to spend. Here, I see a lot of vacation homes. My clients aren’t just looking for luxury—they want a story, something that reflects their input and ideas. They appreciate the unique, one-of-a-kind aspect of custom furniture.”
What do you wish more people knew about custom furniture design?
“It comes to pricing. A lot of people think it’s out of their realm of possibility but compared to higher-end box stores, like Restoration Hardware, for example, it’s not that out of line. It’s not only for the elite.”
A “Monolith” dresser in wide plank oxidized walnut.
What makes custom furniture special?
“When it comes to high-end products, whether it’s handbags, cars, or furniture, the real value lies in the unique, one-of-a-kind aspect. You can’t just throw money at a problem and expect it to be solved; it’s about finding something that truly resonates with you.”
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