Meet the Maker: Bryon Walters of BW Design Works

May 2025 SBS - Hannah Chatterton

Photographs taken by John Legg Photography

At BW Design Works, each grain tells a story. With over 40 years of experience, Bryon Walters of Galesburg creates finely crafted pieces that include jewelry boxes, river tables, cutting boards, and keepsake trays—works that often are as meaningful as they are beautiful.

"When I first signed up for woodshop in high school, I had no idea it would lead me to where I am today," Walters says. What began as a single elective soon became a passion. By his senior year, he was enrolled in three woodshop classes, one of them as a student aide to help others learn. His final project—a double-drop leaf tea cart made from solid mahogany—is still with his mother today. "[That] piece really started me thinking I can do this for a living and truly love what I do."

His teacher's guidance instilled more than just technical skills. Walters was taught to appreciate wood's beauty and potential—to see not just a material but something alive with history and a design of its own. That philosophy now shapes every piece he makes. "There is something about the wood that draws people to it," he says. "It invites a look, then a gentle caress, and is followed by a smile and even overwhelming emotions."

At BW Design Works, every project begins with intention. Walters often takes one of two creative paths: the first is client collaboration, particularly when customers bring him wood with personal or sentimental value. "I've had commissions where the customer had some wood from their parents or grandparents… It's a tangible thing they can touch and still feel the connection," he explains. "These are the ones that are extra special to me."

His second approach is more intuitive—he lets the wood lead. "Some may look at a log and see simply that… I see all the wonderful things it can be," he says. Color and grain pattern can heavily influence what a piece becomes.

His work can be found at Innkeeper's Coffee in Galesburg, where owners Ben and Jess showcase his cutting boards, trays, and boxes. He also takes part in the Spring and Fall Spoon River Scenic Drives at Prairie Moon Farm in Knoxville, including this year's Spring Drive on May 3rd and 4th! He occasionally joins other regional events, but those interested in his work can reach out for commissions through his website and social media platforms through "BW Design Works."

Walters' connection to woodworking is rooted deeply in nature. As a child, his family took trips across the country, staying in parks and campgrounds. Looking back, he shares those were "the prequel to my woodworking journey." Memories of towering redwoods and scenic coastlines continue to influence his work today. One piece, "Sands of Time," was made from curly koa wood brought back from a family trip to Hawaii and includes sand from the beach where they stayed. Paired with a matching rake, it allows the owner to stir the sand and memories.

Bryon's father's custom urn

"I now make things from different wood species from parts of the world [I have visited] that others might not get to witness or ever see in person," he says. "I find myself taking the time now to see the forest for the trees."

As a small business owner, Walters is a firm believer in the power of shopping locally. It's a value instilled in him by his parents, who ran their own small business for over 30 years. "They made a lot of friends through the community and gave back to it." A lifestyle that he has tried to emulate in his own life as well. Walters sees shopping locally as a way to build stronger communities. "By shopping local, you help create jobs, keep taxes and other revenues in your area, and create a special, unique character that people love," he explains.

Support doesn't always require a purchase. Walters encourages people to follow and engage with his content on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. His YouTube channel, launched in December 2024, offers behind-the-scenes looks at his work and is edited with help from his son-in-law, Joey, of Prairie-Town Studios.

Of the many pieces Walters has crafted, one stands apart. After his father passed away, Walters created a custom urn to honor his memory and military service as a Quartermaster in the Korean War. Using quartersawn mahogany to represent his father's rank and birdseye maple for the oceans he sailed, he framed the piece with maple and ebony in a pattern that echoed his military ribbons. "It was a very emotional build for me," Walters says. "I wanted to give him something he deserved—something that showed how much I appreciated everything he did for us."

It's that same level of care and thought that he pours into every commission. "I put my heart and soul into each one of my builds, knowing what it means to them. Whether it's made from something they bring to me or it's a piece I create from an idea that rekindles a memory of a time gone by, I want people to have a piece made with care, thought, and memories in mind."

At BW Design Works, the mantra is simple but powerful: "Creating memories and heirlooms, one board at a time."

Sands of Time