Meet Mitch

Mitch’s love of wood started with tree planting. During the 20 years doing it he excelled as a tree planter before becoming a foreman and eventually a site manager. Later he moved into construction to be closer to his wife and two young daughters.

30 years ago the Pine Street Bridge just east of Kamloops, BC was slated for demolition. The large timbers removed from the structure were to be recycled. This sparked Upton’s curiosity and he used a knife to scrape away the grey outer layer to reveal beautiful Douglas Fir beneath.  That’s when inspiration struck and he traded his time in exchange for as many timbers as he could haul away.

Later, he was driving and happened to spot 20’ long timbers from the old Tolko sawmill that were being buried as was the practice at the time. He got authorization to pull out as many as he could. 

Those timbers now form the structure and soul of the house he and his wife Tracy live in at Lac Le Jeune. Building that house provided the inspiration to start the Old Timber Company and share the beauty of reclaimed wood with others.  Mitch’s unique furniture, floors and ski rooms made from reclaimed wood can be found in homes and businesses in the interior of British Columbia.

“I love talking to people about what they’re trying to accomplish and then using that as inspiration for the things I make. Something like a dining room table is more than just a place to eat, it’s somewhere to make memories with family and friends. Giving people a beautiful and unique piece to do that really motivates me.”