Against the Grain Creative Concepts

Established in 2014 by the husband and wife team of Scott and Jaime Buell, Against the Grain (ATG) specializes in Restoration, Reclamation, Repurposing and Custom Creations. These four facets combine and come to life in our shop in Kenosha, WI, which consists of a storefront, workshop and warehouse. Our shop is a destination in itself, where you can see firsthand how salvaged materials become practical, beautiful finished goods. ATG has something for everyone. Art lovers will enjoy an eclectic mix of custom pieces, functional art and antique furniture. DIY-ers (and even contractors and builders) will discover a vast array of raw materials like barn wood, beams, flooring, doors, windows, rope, galvanized roofing and more. Dreamers can talk to us about how we can custom-craft nearly any idea into something that is utterly astounding. The best part about ATG is our passion for what we do. One of Scott’s greatest joys is scouring the countryside for superior-quality antique wood from old buildings, barns, fences and almost anywhere else you can imagine, and reclaiming and transforming it into special, stunning works of art. Scott does it because he loves it. And when you combine his passion and skill with the history and stories that connect us to our roots, you have endless potential for artistic expression based in sustainability and preservation. The journey to Against the Grain began over 15 years ago. Scott knew he had a passion for woodworking and history, but hadn't yet known how to combine them. At the time, the Buell’s lived in a small farming community in Michigan that lacked industry and jobs. So Scott stopped by the local antique restoration company – the only shop in town doing anything close to woodworking. And that’s where their story began. Scott and the owner agreed to a part-time apprenticeship that soon blossomed into full-time work. Along the way, Scott advanced his skills, grew his passion and pursued his own business. Together, Scott and Jaime opened Quintessential Endeavors in their garage and were on their way. Scott bought and reclaimed antique furniture, fixed it, restored it and sold it on the summer antique circuit in the Midwest. Jaime’s job later took them to Charlotte, NC, where they indulged their passion by filling their home with antiques and custom pieces. But they chose not to restart the business (yet!). Ten years later, Scott and Jaime moved back to the Midwest, first to Chicago and then to Kenosha, which they now call home. They once again began pursuing their passion of combining woodworking, history and the added element of their agricultural roots. And so was borne Against the Grain. Located in an old, historical grocery warehouse building that has been repurposed and refurbished into ATG’s shop and showroom, About UsATG is a single family-owned business that serves fans from Chicago to Milwaukee. Jaime and Scott manage all aspects of ATG, with Scott handling company operations and sales and Jaime handling marketing, social media and support of the sales efforts. Scott has over 20 years of operations expertise with five of those in restoration, and another 15 in sales and service organizations. Jaime has over 20 years of expertise in areas including investor relations, internal and external communications, stakeholder engagement, mergers and acquisitions, operations, learning and development, and organizational change. Scott and Jaime both graduated from Michigan State University, and Jaime recently earned a Master’s Degree from Northwestern University. Not to be forgotten are Scott and Jaime’s beloved furry companions, who truly make ATG a family affair. Silas Magee enjoys hanging out with Scott in the shop and, of course, taking cat naps. Izzy, a golden retriever and the newest member of the family, serves as the chief marketing officer, drawing people in with her sweet smile and friendly disposition. You never know who will be there to greet you when you visit ATG, but they have a fantastic staff that helps make the shop possible! Do you have a family heirloom with incredible sentimental value, but it just doesn’t look great? Maybe you hide it in a bedroom instead of displaying a piece of history? Heritage is so important, and we exist to help you preserve the heart and soul of your family. Founder Scott Buell’s passion for his work strikes you immediately. He truly loves what he does and wants to share his gift with others. Driven by a sense of pride, committed to preserving history, and blessed with a creative mind, he’ll work with you to create a treasure like no other. A treasure with a story to tell whether it’s old or new. Ever look at something and think it could be cool, if only…Or maybe you have a spot in your house that would look great with shelves or cabinets, but nothing at the store will work? If you can dream it, and we can find the materials, it can be yours. Let’s brainstorm together to see what we can do!