Southern Utah artisans collaborate to create custom furniture using fusion of metal, wood

Written by Jessi Bang
June 5, 2024

WASHINGTON CITY— Two men with distinct skill sets have come together under one roof, marrying wood and metal to create pieces as strong as they are stylish.

Jordan Mansen works on a custom fireplace screen, St. George, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Jordan Madsen works on a custom fireplace screen, St. George, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

After a decade of honing his craft in metalwork, Mad Metal Fabrication owner Jordan Madsen made the leap to establish his own business. His shop is situated under the same roof as Axios Studios, a solid wood furniture company with which he’s been collaborating for the last six years.

“I’m just going for it,” Madsen said. “I’m jumping in. I’ve been doing this for a while, but this is my first time being on my own. It’s just about getting out and showing people what I can do and what I’m capable of.”

Madsen grew up immersed in the world of fabrication and welding, spending his childhood in his father’s general contracting shop. By 25, he decided to formalize his skills by attending WyoTech, a reputable automotive trade school. While there, he specialized in auto body work and painting, with a minor focus on chassis fabrication. That’s when he discovered his passion for welding, fabrication and the fine details of the craft.

Initially, he aspired to become a chassis fabricator, focusing on Jeeps and race cars. However, his career took a turn when he began working in the auto body repair industry. But it was when he had the chance to collaborate with Axios Studios’ owner Jeremy Peterson that everything changed.

Axios Studios owner Jeremy Peterson works on custom wood furniture, St. George, Utah, Jan. 15, 2020 | Photo courtesy of Axios_Studios on Instagram, St. George News

“Jeremy’s side is furniture – wood, metal, whatever,” Madsen said. “And then my side of things, I focus more on metal fabrication and doing the furniture side, but I also dabble in blacksmithing and stuff like that.”

While many metal shops focus solely on steel, Madsen also works in nonferrous metals, including brass, bronze and copper, broadening the scope of his craftsmanship. Peterson noted that delving into nonferrous metals is technically a completely different trade altogether and he’s happy to have him under the same roof.

For the past six years, Madsen has balanced this role within the body shop industry and metal fabrication. He crafts unique furniture alongside Peterson and also creates his own items such as bottle openers and other intricate pieces. His primary specialties include detailed, decorative and architectural metalwork.

Currently, he’s working on a fireplace screen, having fabricated the entire structure himself. He then forged organic elements to create intricate tree designs.

He said his favorite aspect of working with Peterson is the opportunity to create extraordinarily unique furniture pieces. The more outlandish, the better.

“If someone comes to us with just some crazy ideas, we do what we can to make them happen,” Madsen said. “Our thing is never saying no.”

Woodwork by Jeremy Peterson with Axios Studios is infused with metalwork by Jordan Mansen with Mad Metal Fabrication to create a chair for Paparazzi, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Jordan Mansen, St. George News
Woodwork by Jeremy Peterson with Axios Studios is infused with metalwork by Jordan Madsen with Mad Metal Fabrication to create a chair for Paparazzi, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Jordan Mansen, St. George News

One of the memorable furniture pieces the pair created was a king-size bed that floated off a wall, appearing as a giant floating shelf. They engineered a concrete wall to bolt the frame and Peterson’s team constructed the wood frame around Madsen’s metal frame. The product looked “super neat and sneaky,” he said, and it was the whole integrated process between them both that made the piece possible.

Peterson has been running his furniture business Axios Studios for 20 years, specializing in handmade solid wood pieces.

His journey began with a role at Boulevard Home Furnishings, where he received furniture repair and touch-up training. This experience ignited his passion for the craft, leading him to attend trade school for architectural woodworking and cabinetry. After a successful career in cabinetry, he established his own furniture-making business. He initially ran the business on his own, and since then, it has grown exponentially.

“I named it Axios Studios because my dream was to basically have a business where I could collect people that specialize in different things all under the same roof,” he said. “How cool would that be for the really discerning designers? They can come in and not just order furniture, but go over here and talk to the guy doing the metal, the upholsterer and build this one-stop shop of craftsman.”

The company markets exclusively to designers, catering to clients who rely on professional assistance for their shopping needs. Surprisingly, he noted, there are many such clients in the St. George area. His furniture is often crafted based on a photograph and dimensions provided by designers, and to ensure originality, he tweaks the designs to avoid copying anyone’s work. He then sends a rendering back to the designer for customer approval.

“Joe and I, we have more experience than just a specific trade like welding and woodworking,” Peterson said. “We can do patinas and specialty finishes. But the biggest thing is, we just don’t say no. If somebody comes in and asks for something crazy, we sit down and do the research and figure out how to make it happen.”

Jordan Mansen creates a custom table to look like bangle bracelets for the company Paparazzi, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Jordan Mansen, St. George News
Jordan Madsen created a custom table to look like bangle bracelets for the company Paparazzi, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Jordan Mansen, St. George News

Among Peterson’s favorite and most elaborate collaborative furniture pieces with Madsen are those created for the jewelry company Paparazzi. They titled one of their most extravagant collaborations “El Capitan” – a throne chair reminiscent of old English royalty, adorned with the company’s logo as a crown topper. The chair is 12 feet tall and is spacious enough to seat two adults side-by-side.

“It’s essentially like a half dome, cupola, all out of wood,” Peterson said. “The scale, I think, is what’s so impressive.”

On the back of the chair, they built a 22-foot-long sofa, curving to fit seamlessly and flaring out into chaise lounges at the ends. It was constructed entirely from leather and adorned with diamond nailheads. The company also requested glass tables reminiscent of bangle bracelets. Joe created the rings and welded them to emulate tangled bracelets on someone’s wrist. They also created a 15-foot dining table that includes intricate metalwork and hand-riveted details.

Peterson said his company crate ships all items and offers “white glove delivery,” including delivery and setup. While custom work may not be accessible to everyone, Axios Studios is now introducing a range of preset wood furniture styles for everyday buyers. Customers still have the flexibility to choose the type of wood and dimensions offered, allowing for more affordable options.

L-R: Mad Metal Fabrication owner Jordan Madsen and Axios Studios Jeremy Peterson smile for the camera inside their shop in St. George, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
L-R: Mad Metal Fabrication owner Jordan Madsen and Axios Studios Jeremy Peterson smile for the camera inside their shop in St. George, Utah, May 2, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

“This versus Pottery Barn or The Boulevard or any of these stores is that it’s still handmade,” Peterson said. “It’s still done with traditional joinery, which is what we pride ourselves on, and it’s still solid wood. It’s not production, but it’s built to order.”

As they wrap up another day at the shop, Madsen and Peterson take pride in the work they’ve accomplished both individually and together. From custom creations to preset furniture options, they’re pleased to offer something for every customer. Looking ahead, they said they are excited about the possibilities and are grateful for the support they’ve received along the way.

Axios Studios and Mad Metal Fabrication are located at 1245 Red Ledge Road in Washington City. For more information on Axios Studios, visit their Instagram. Find Madsen and Mad Metal Fabrication on Instagram and YouTube.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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