Today we’d like to introduce you to Capers Cauthen.
Hi Capers, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Landrum Tables was established in 2010, but the idea behind it started long before that.
I was born and raised in Charleston, and I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the history and character of this area. My father, Henry F. Cauthen, was an antiques dealer and longtime director of the Preservation Society of Charleston. Growing up, I developed an appreciation for historic architecture, craftsmanship, and the stories behind old things.
After Hurricane Hugo in 1989, I spent years working in carpentry and restoring historic homes throughout Charleston. One thing that always bothered me was seeing beautiful, centuries-old lumber being discarded during renovations and demolitions. I knew there was still plenty of life left in that wood.
The idea for Landrum Tables really came together when my grandmother’s old barn collapsed. While helping clear it out, I recognized the potential in the old lumber and decided to build a table. It sold within two days. That was really the beginning of it all.
What started as a small woodworking venture gradually grew into a full-time business. Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to create custom furniture for homeowners, interior designers, restaurants, and businesses throughout the Lowcountry and beyond.
Today, we specialize in handcrafted furniture made from reclaimed wood, much of which comes from historic Charleston homes, barns, and buildings. I enjoy working with the character that’s already there rather than trying to make everything look perfect. The old saw marks, nail holes, weathering, and imperfections are what make each piece unique.
For me, Landrum Tables has always been about more than building furniture. It’s about preserving a piece of history and giving materials that might otherwise be forgotten a new purpose. There’s something special about knowing that a piece of Charleston’s past can continue to be part of someone’s home for generations to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building Landrum Tables has been a journey of growth, adaptation, and learning along the way. One particularly challenging time came when we had to relocate our workshop. After years of collecting reclaimed lumber, we had accumulated more wood than we could realistically move or store in the new space. I ultimately had to give away thousands of dollars’ worth of reclaimed lumber rather than let it go to waste. It wasn’t an easy decision, especially knowing the history and potential in each piece.
Another part of the journey has been learning how to grow a business that never really started with a business plan. Landrum Tables began organically. I built a table, someone wanted one, and then someone else wanted one. What started as a creative outlet gradually became a full-time business. Learning how to turn that initial passion into a sustainable business has been an experience in itself.
Each chapter has taught me something different, and I’ve learned to embrace change, stay creative, and remain committed to the craftsmanship and vision behind Landrum Tables.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Landrum Tables specializes in handcrafted, custom furniture made from locally reclaimed wood. We offer a wide range of furniture for both residential and commercial spaces.
Our collection includes dining tables, coffee tables, console tables, kitchen islands, servers, sideboards, benches, outdoor furniture, desks, and other specialty pieces. In addition to our signature designs, we work directly with customers to create custom pieces tailored to their individual spaces, preferences, and needs.
What sets us apart is the combination of craftsmanship, customization, and the materials we work with. We embrace the natural character of reclaimed wood rather than trying to make it look new or manufactured. Every piece has its own grain, texture, markings, and imperfections, which means no two finished pieces are exactly alike.
We also offer customers the opportunity to incorporate their own reclaimed or sentimental wood into a custom piece. Whether it’s lumber from a family property or another meaningful source, we can turn those materials into something functional that can be enjoyed for years to come.
We’re proud to offer furniture that is made locally, built by hand, and designed to last. Our goal is to provide customers with something they won’t find in a typical furniture showroom: thoughtfully designed, individually crafted pieces with distinctive materials and character.
Beyond our furniture, we also offer specialty wood products, including cheese boards, mantels, and other custom creations. We serve individual homeowners, interior designers, businesses, and commercial clients, with options ranging from ready-to-purchase inventory to fully customized projects.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think a lot of it really comes down to who you know and the relationships you build along the way. Some of the best opportunities I’ve had have come through personal connections, word of mouth, and simply getting to know people in the community.
My advice would be to get out there, meet people, support other local businesses, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. You never know who someone knows or what opportunities might come from a simple conversation. I’ve learned that building genuine relationships is just as important as the work itself. Sometimes it’s not necessarily about what you know, but who you know and the relationships you’ve taken the time to build.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://landrumtables.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landrum.tables/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LandrumTables/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN_2udYI2GdqV5ONkvNl0bg
