Here We Are: A Conversation with Justin Taylor of Iron and Oak Forge
Hi everyone, welcome to Here We Are: Brattleboro’s community talk show. I’m Wendy O’Donnell and today I’m joined by Justin Taylor. With more than 30 years of experience, Justin is a craftsman known throughout the region and beyond for his high-end custom carpentry, design, metal fabrication, and customized Airstream trailers through his company ESK Productions. Together with his wife, Kayla Cummings, he co-owns Iron and Oak Forge on Arch Street in Brattleboro, where they create beautiful work with wood, metal, and fire.
Wendy: Welcome, Justin.
Justin: Thanks, Wendy. Glad to be here.
Justin grew up in Wardsboro, Vermont, and was homeschooled in a very hands-on way—learning on job sites while his father, Tad Taylor, taught him the trades. His father was both an artist and carpenter, and his mother was a talented interior designer who worked on high-end projects, even for celebrities like Tom Cruise and Ron Howard. That early exposure gave Justin both technical skills and a strong design eye.
“I started working when I was seven or eight years old. It’s really in my bones.”
Over the years, Justin developed his craft in woodworking and design, but also took on unique projects—like converting old gondolas into dining pods, or restoring vintage Airstream trailers for off-grid living or mobile marketing.
He also shared how growing up with freedom and problem-solving shaped him:
“When you’re left alone to figure things out, you really learn how things work. It becomes second nature.”
From building tree forts as a kid to running a 10,000 sq. ft. shop restoring Airstreams, Justin has always thrived on challenge. He even pursued snowboarding semi-professionally before retiring due to injuries.
In 2015, he founded ESK Productions, taking over projects after his father’s passing and continuing the legacy of environmentally conscious building. Later, he and Kayla shifted their focus to Iron and Oak Forge, a Brattleboro shop blending metal and woodwork. Kayla specializes in blacksmithing and bladesmithing, creating handmade knives and jewelry, while Justin creates custom woodwork like cutting boards with turquoise epoxy inlays. Together, they also produce collaborative products—cheese knives, cutting boards, jewelry, and more—sold at markets and in their shop.
“It’s when we merge wood and metal that we have the most fun. That’s where creativity flows.”
Justin spoke fondly about raising their young son, Nash, who is already imitating their work in the shop. He also reflected on growing up around Brattleboro’s machine shops, learning not just technical skills but values of integrity and community service from mentors like Lester and Kenny Whitworth.
“The people—that was always their favorite part. And that’s what matters most.”
Today, Justin and Kayla continue to build their business at Iron and Oak Forge, carrying on those values while creating functional art pieces that bridge wood, metal, and fire.
Wendy: Justin, thank you for sharing your story.
Justin: Thank you. Appreciate it.
