Tom Owens
Owner, Designer, Woodworker, Timber Framer
Tom Owens has been a woodworker since 1984, both as a furniture designer/maker and as a timber frame designer and carpenter. Tom apprenticed with a Master Japanese carpenter in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Northern California building a traditional Japanese "minka" (farmhouse) style home as well as studying teahouse and sukiya style carpentry and fine studio furniture.
Tom was invited to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina by friends. He fell in love with the area and never left. In 1997 Tom
co-founded High Country Timberframe & Gallery Woodworking Co.
with business partner Peter Jankowski.
While Tom is the principal timber frame and home designer, he also spends a considerable amount of time considering every aspect of the project from the lot access and home orientation to the final landscaping.
His "hands on" experience in timber framing, fine woodworking and construction combined with his design skills allow him to "think outside the box" when considering potential improvements or "pitfalls." Clients, builders and architects are very appreciative of this extra insight and effort.
In 2010, under Tom's leadership, High Country Timberframe added a Design/Build Division that focuses on the design/construction of high performance homes. Utilizing the latest in building science methods and materials including High Country Timberframe's proprietary ShopBuiltTM Prefabricated Panelized Wall Systems
Tom's furniture was featured in the book, "The Custom Furniture Source Book, A Guide to 125 Craftsmen" by Kerry Pierce and published by Taunton Press and in other fine furniture compilations. Tom has written for "Sukiya Living: The Journal of Japanese Gardening", on the topic of traditional Japanese carpentry.
Tom and his wife Patricia reside in Boone, NC. When not reviewing plans or designing a timber frame home, Tom, a motorcycle and Moto Grand Prix enthusiast, will most likely be found "going up the country" on his Triumph Tiger and enjoying all that the twisty two lane Blue Ridge Mountain roads have to offer.
Peter Jankowski
Co-Founder, Timber Framer, Woodworker, Project Manager
Pete still maintains just a "touch" of his original accent which leaves some asking the typical question, "where are you from?"
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Peter found himself leaving the paper mill life for the cold Arctic waters on a Coast Guard Cutter and then to the warmer climate of Florida.
Finding Florida a little too warm, Peter moved to North Carolina in 1992 and spent a couple of years as a diver for the NC Dept of Transportation. Growing up in Massachusetts, he had developed both an appreciation for and skills in timber framing and carpentry and realized he had a desire to return to those roots.
In 1994, Pete moved to the High Country of NC and worked as a carpenter for a local company. In 1997 he co-founded High Country Timberframe & Gallery Woodworking with business partner, Tom Owens.
Pete is usually found in the shop, hand cutting the timbers or outdoors scaling the frame during the timber raising phase of the construction process. If a design/build project he will most likely be found on-site enjoying the role of Construction Manager.
Due to his knowledge, integrity, honesty and humor Pete is well-liked and respected by clients, suppliers, sub-contractors, employees and
co-workers.
In addition to be being a timber framer, Peter is also a farmer. Along with his wife Dorene, they specialize in growing hot peppers and tomatoes for homemade salsas and hot sauces. The products are sold at various retail locations under the label,
"Fire from the Mountain".