His eyes travel up the ancient trunk of the magnificent redwood. From the fern-covered forest floor it is difficult to see the tree canopy reaching for the sky. Surrounding the young man, there are legions of the enormous redwoods. What stories could they tell?
Robert Kirkman could have been that young man. As a teenager, he hitchhiked all over the West Coast, living amongst the redwoods in Humboldt County, California, and in the old growth cedar groves of northern Idaho. Perhaps, some of the magic of those giants stayed with young Kirkman, inspiring him with their majesty and an appreciation for respecting and working with wood.
Wood, metal, stone
“If you can imagine it,” Kirkman, owner of Three Elements Designs said, “we can bring that vision to life — not just with wood, but with stone, metal, ceramics, leather and just about any material. We work with private clients, businesses and historic preservation.”
Kirkman has developed the skills to design and build lasting, handcrafted furniture, which can be handed down from generation to generation; from dining tables to coffee tables, desks to bureaus, bed frames and custom cabinetry.
“The name of my business, Three Elements Designs, reflects the three materials I’ve been working with all of my life — wood, metal and stone,” Kirkman commented. In 2010, Kirkman purchased the building at 332 St. Clair St. for his workshop. “At the time it seemed palatial. Now, it seems rather small,” he commented. “I love downtown Frankfort and am glad my business is here. I wouldn’t have the same experience if I was in a strip mall or working out of a barn. I really love Frankfort.”
Historical preservation work
Kirkman also has a passion for the preservation of architectural heritage.
“I want future generations to be able to enjoy the wonderful design and craftsmanship created here,” he said. “We’ve replicated and restored windows and doors, reproduced historic trim and mouldings, rebuilt historic staircases and facades; working with small projects to entire historic buildings.”
With historic preservation, Kirkman often has to match a wood that is scarce. “We’re always hunting for wood. There’s not a dumpster I wouldn’t get into, especially if it’s in front of an historic building. If someone’s throwing out a piece of fabric that could be used at some other historic place, we’re gonna collect it, find someone who needs it and use it.”
Matching a specific wood for use in an historic building is sometimes difficult. “For example, red heart pine was traditionally a very common wood used in this area but that tree doesn’t exist today. There’s not a saw mill anywhere in the country I can call today for that wood. So, I have to find an existing beam that came out of a warehouse or a barn or somewhere, take it to a saw mill, have it de-nailed, sliced into pieces and then put it into a kiln before we can use it.”
Local projects
Because of Kirkman’s creative skills, custom craftsmanship and attention to detail, he is sought by clients locally, regionally, nationally and even internationally. His work calendar stays full, which according to Kirkman, is a testimony to an appreciation of good craftsmanship by his customers. In Frankfort, he has worked with many private clients designing and building totally custom kitchens, as well as fine furnishings.
The list of local businesses incorporating Three Elements Designs craftsmanship is long and includes Buffalo Trace, Castle & Key, Kentucky Historical Society, Sig Luscher, West Sixth Farm, Liberty Hall and Hoggy’s Ice Cream.
“Every single bourbon that’s come out of Buffalo Trace in the last nine years has been blended on one of the tables we reproduced of the original table that was in the Master Distillers’ lab,” Kirkman commented.
“Probably the marquee job we have done lately was Hoggy’s. We tore the front off and completely gutted the inside and it was right there on Main Street. Now, I walk in there all the time with my children and it makes me feel really good.”
Kirkman believes Frankfort is a great community in which to work and raise his family. “In my experience, Frankfort is the confluence of incredibly interesting people and a very supportive community that appreciates the quality of craftsmanship and preservation,” he said.
That support often comes from fellow tradesmen, craftsmen and also interns. Kirkman is always learning from others, as well as passing along knowledge of his craft to the next generation. “I wouldn’t have had the success I’ve had without people like Masha Maina, Michael Lyvers, Alexander Hardison, Merrit Shaw, Matthew Logan and Zander Jones,” he remarked. “I’ve had the good fortune to learn from many of the best local talents, preservationists, designers, architects, carpenters and developers. Together, we have helped bring the dreams of our community to life.”
“Naturalized” Kentuckian
Kirkman likes to think of himself as a “naturalized” Kentuckian. “I was born in California but raised in Connecticut after my parents divorced. My father moved to Kentucky for work and bought a gorgeous 100-acre farm on Elkhorn Creek,” he remarked.
Kirkman loaded up his record collection, camping gear and his beloved Border Collie, Forest, and drove his vintage Land Cruiser to Kentucky to work on the farm growing tobacco, and split whatever profits with his father. After tobacco season, they hadn’t generated a profit but Kirkman said he learned a lot. “By the end of it, I knew it wasn’t about the money anymore. Kentucky had taken root in my heart,” he said.
After taking classes at the University of Kentucky in Fine Arts, he eventually said he realized that he had always craved his own space to be creative. “I originally did that out at the farm, building fine furniture. I was a bartender in town to make money. Word started getting out through friends and my business took off!” he explained.
Most of Kirkman’s work still results from word of mouth. Amazingly, there is no name on his storefront and no hours posted. “I used to have a sign on the door that said ‘by appointment or by chance.’ The best way to reach me is to either give me a call at 502-418-2074 or send a message through our website.”
