“I have never made two identical pieces. The wood will not allow it. And neither will I.”

Trung Le started learning woodworking at 21 and quickly developed a reputation for one particular trait: he absolutely hated following pre-made templates.

At first, that caused a few problems.

Then he found Ashdeco and realized this workshop already believed what he believed - that every piece should have its own personality from the start.

He now specializes in sculptural floating shelves and wave-inspired designs, the kind of furniture that sits somewhere between functional object and wood sculpture. Straight lines bore him a little. Curves, movement, and natural asymmetry are where he feels most at home.

Around the shop, the craftsmen joke that if you want a shelf that’s “just a little unusual,” you give the project to Trung Le.

And somehow, it usually turns out to be the piece everyone remembers most.