Founded by Colin Andresen- Thompson, the woodworking studio emerged from an unlikely pivot. His early career unfolded on the racetrack, where he built a decorated resume in professional motorsports, including four consecutive national championships. Yet long before the trophies, his hands learned a different rhythm. Growing up on a rescue animal farm in Perkasie, Andresen-Thompson was introduced to woodworking by his father and grandfather, lessons rooted in utility, patience and respect for materials. That foundation deepened through four years of formal study in fine furniture making, with a particular reverence for George Nakashima. By the time he retired from racing in 2017, the obsession had quietly been waiting.
This heirloom walnut maple console features a midcentury modern flair.
The catalyst was personal. Returning to Bucks County and furnishing a new home, Andresen-Thompson found the market lacking: competitive pieces were overpriced, with subpar quality and craftsmanship. So he began building his own. “I figured I couldn’t be the only one struggling to find furniture that felt truly personal and built with integrity,” he explains. Paramount Wood Co. was born from that realization—a studio grounded in craftsmanship and intention.
Paramount Wood Co.’s shop manager Zach Berger
Sustainability is not a marketing add-on at Paramount; it is the starting point. The studio works exclusively with naturally fallen trees sourced through arborists, slab yards and forestry services worldwide. Many of the trees are more than 50 years old, allowing for dramatic grain patterns and organic movement that cannot be replicated in fast-grown timber. “We have had countless opportunities to cut costs and work with mass-harvested materials, but for us, the cost of deforestation is far too great,” he says. “We will never trade forests for profit margins.” Paramount even hosts tree-planting days with local parks to give back to the landscapes that inspire their work.
The pieces bring a unique touch of nature and art into your home
Each commission begins with the material itself. Rather than forcing wood into rigid forms, Paramount’s small team of craftsmen—producing just eight to 10 pieces per month—designs around the natural lines, knots and imperfections of each slab. The result is furniture that feels alive: dining tables that showcase bookmatched slabs, desks that read like landscapes and sculptural pieces that function as heirlooms.
Paramount’s strata series end table is a striking piece of art.
That philosophy was further strengthened with the acquisition of Jeffrey Greene Design Studio, a revered name in American furniture design. By incorporating Greene’s team and expanding Paramount’s design archive, the move honored legacy while elevating the studio’s capabilities. For Andresen-Thompson, it was about stewardship as much as growth—continuing a lineage of thoughtful, enduring design.
Looking ahead, Paramount Wood Co. is resolute in its restraint. The waitlist may grow, but production will not accelerate at the expense of quality. The founder envisions a future where the brand becomes internationally synonymous with the very best—furniture that carries not just function, but also memory, meaning and a deep respect for the life it once lived.
