Snuggled in the Appalachian mountains of East Tennessee, Chris Rickman, a fifth-generation craftsman, opened Highlands Custom Cabinetry, Furniture & Millwork in 2002. Armed with little more than $100 in his pocket and a love for woodworking, he decided to make his lifelong dream a reality. Since that time, Highlands has become synonymous with fine, hand-crafted cabinetry, furniture, and millwork, all utilizing native Appalachian hardwoods such as cherry, walnut, oak, hickory, dogwood, and maple.
Chris has over 40 years of experience, learning much of his art from his father and grandfather while growing up in the Ozark Mountains. “I have been around woodworking as far back as I can remember, and I use all of the old traditional ways, skills, and techniques that they taught me,” says Chris.
Today, the legacy of Highlands Custom Cabinetry is evolving into a true family affair. Chris’s oldest daughter has stepped into the workshop, becoming the sixth generation to carry on the Rickman woodworking tradition. Under her father’s mentorship, she is mastering the time-honored joinery and finishing techniques that define the family’s heritage, ensuring the soul of the craft remains vibrant for decades to come.
Despite the growing team, Chris remains a hands-on owner—literally. He is much more likely to be found in the shop ripping a piece of cherry or on a job site installing the finished product than sitting in an office behind a computer. With his daughter by his side and his wife managing the books and the business’s virtual presence, Highlands Custom Cabinetry continues to honor its roots while looking firmly toward the future.