About
Rustic Modern
Rustic Modern began with a simple idea: take the raw character of reclaimed materials and shape them into something fresh, functional, and unexpected. What started as small experiments with furniture has grown into a design practice that spans custom pieces, large-scale installations, and architectural projects. We approach architecture the same way we do craft—with a focus on material honesty, sustainability, and storytelling.
From reimagining old structures to designing new spaces, our work blends rustic texture with modern clarity, creating environments that invite people to gather, connect, and feel at home.
At every scale—whether it’s a bench, a pavilion, or a full building—we’re interested in design that celebrates history while making space for the present.
Our Team
James Stodgel
Architectural Designer
James Stodgel is a Santa Fe native and architect whose work bridges design, community, and sustainability. He earned his Master of Architecture from Montana State University and co-founded Only Green Design, a youth-centered practice that has led environmentally minded projects in Los Angeles, Santa Fe, Prishtina, and Belgrade.
His design for Culture Shack won 1st Prize at the MIKSER Festival Urban Bundle Design Competition in Kosovo, and his collaborative projects have included partnerships with Environmental Charter Schools, Warehouse 21, Santa Fe YouthWorks, and The Story of Place Institute.
When he’s not designing reclaimed furniture, site-specific installations, or community-driven architecture, James can be found out in New Mexico’s vast landscapes—always exploring, always drawing inspiration from the land that shaped him.
Only Green Design
Only Green Design is a nonprofit that empowers Santa Fe youth to transform reclaimed and discarded materials into furniture, ramps, and community projects—teaching hands-on design, sustainability, and the power of building something lasting together.
