Soul Mountain Designs
Our Story
We started this new life-venture after we both spent over 30 years in the distribution and logistics industry. After “retiring” in 2022 and contemplating our next move, what was a little hobby of ours, quickly became something more. Now we spend time together going to barn sales, flea markets and antique shops looking for components for our creations. Traveling the Hudson Valley and Adirondacks we visit family-owned sawmills and industrial salvage businesses, meeting fantastic people and forging new friendships. The journeys down backroads less traveled to find lumber and iron is always a story within itself. Finding new places to stop for lunch in search of the area's best meatloaf is just a bonus! Like our creations, life is not perfect. But given this unforeseen opportunity to reinvent ourselves and do something we love; we embrace each day.
William Bennett is a creative home decor maker based in the Hudson Valley. He is known for his use of reclaimed wood and repurposed iron in his creations. With a passion for sustainability and an eye for design, William transforms discarded, antique and locally sourced materials into beautiful and functional pieces of furniture and home decor. His designs are not only environmentally conscious, but also unique and full of character. Each piece has those natural imperfections, much like the maker! As a local craftsman, William takes pride in his work and strives to create one-of-a-kind pieces that will be cherished for generations to come.
Sandie Bennett is our research and purchasing specialist and most importantly the "voice of reason" of the operation. She scours the internet in search of barn sales, individual listings and items of interest for our creations. Her past experience with negotiating transportation contracts helps keep our costs in check. With her keen eye she is first in hunt picking out the "coolest" components. The more time she spends on the road and on the laptop doing the research, the more the stock prices drop at TJ Maxx, coincidence?
Bonus dad
Michael Marco
Our “Bonus Dad” is a retired Union Business Agent. Michael is also a US Navy Veteran who served during the Vietnam War with Squadron VA-55 aboard the carrier Ticonderoga. 5 Years ago, Michael and our mother put an addition on their house which included a woodworking shop for him to enjoy during his retirement. Over the last year we decided to put that shop to good use. Michael, our “union doweler”, now helps us with projects that require a doweling or a fabrication process that some of our creations require. These pieces need that “perfectionism” to get it right. In return for his help, we try to provide Michael with a good grilled ribeye, and a glass of Cabernet and some of Sandies homemade bread pudding as often as possible.