Hello from the perrin’s

Hello from The Perrins – the dynamic duo behind Perrin Woodworking and the ever-evolving creative space that is Windhorse Gallery (yes, we know how it sounds to call ourselves dynamic, but hey—can’t we have a little fun when shamelessly self-promoting, which we’re admittedly not very good at… but here we go!!).

When it comes to life, business, adventure, and creative partnerships, Dan and I are certainly not alone. We find ourselves in the best of company and are constantly inspired by others carving their own shared paths. So, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves—especially to those of you who may be new to our journey.

Originally rooted in Charleston, the woodworking story began back in 1999 when Dan started building custom cabinetry out of a single-car garage. Over time, the business grew, evolved, and eventually welcomed me—Katy Jo—as a partner in 2006. Together, we’ve built a company we’re deeply proud of. Our partnership—like any—has seen its challenges, but we absolutely love the life and work we’ve created side by side.

For years, we dreamed of a space to showcase not just our custom creations, but the creative energy that fuels them. (Some of my most cherished childhood memories are tied to my grandfather’s basement shop and my father’s backyard studio—so this dream runs deep.)

Fast forward to May 2021, when we made the move to Port Royal. The road to get here could be a story all its own (let’s call that Part II), but what matters most is how welcomed and supported we’ve felt by this extraordinary community. For the first time in our careers, it feels like we’ve found our forever home.

Not only did the move allow us to expand our woodworking studio, but it also made space for something we’d envisioned for years: Windhorse Gallery & Marketplace—our love letter to creativity, craftsmanship, and community. We opened our doors in June of last year, and are now preparing to celebrate our 1-year anniversary June 14th, with deep gratitude and big plans for what’s next.

Windhorse is far more than a showcase for our custom furniture. It’s a tribute to the artists and makers we admire. Our revolving collection highlights local and regional talent—painters, ceramicists, photographers, and more—each bringing something unexpected and soulful to our space.

We also introduced a thoughtfully curated wine program—because art and wine just belong together! And we are lucky to have our resident Wine Guru, Kellie Holmes, steering that ship with style and palate perfection. And behind the scenes (and often at the front!), our beloved gallery assistant Libby B keeps the Windhorse spirit flowing with warmth, curiosity, and her own creative spark.

And because I can’t not have a few extra things going on... Windhorse has grown into a vibrant community hub where we host everything from our Signature Culinary Series and Creative Workshops, to Wine Tastings, Seminars, and our newest Rooted in Wellness Series. There’s always something brewing here—and it’s all driven by a desire to nurture creativity, connection, and a little magic in the everyday.

As we look toward this exciting milestone, we’re reflecting on the whirlwind, the heart, and the people—like you—who continue to inspire us.

Thank you for being part of the journey.
Cheers,
Katy Jo + Dan (a.k.a. The Perrins)

Hello From the Perrin’s / Part II: The Road to Port ROyal

If Part I was about beginnings, Part II is about the leap—the in-between, the unexpected, and the moment a long-held dream finally began to take shape.

For years, we talked about one day.

One day we’d find the right place.
One day we’d build a space that reflected everything we loved.
One day we’d stop renting and finally plant roots that felt like ours.

Spoiler alert: “One day” arrived wrapped in a pandemic, a few existential meltdowns, and a major relocation we didn’t entirely see coming—but somehow knew was exactly right. (Let’s call it a sign from the universe.)

In 2020, like so many others, we found ourselves asking some big questions:
What do we want our lives to look like?
What kind of legacy are we building?
Where do we feel most at home?

Charleston gave us years of opportunity, growth, and connection—but we were craving more space, more quiet, and a deeper sense of community and intention.

Enter: Port Royal.

We’ll never forget the call about a property here. On July 1, 2020, we drove down to meet the Town Manager. Funny enough—we had joked about that very building “making a great cabinet shop” the year prior during a visit for a Warrior Sailing camp. And there it was, just as we remembered: rough around the edges but full of promise. Concrete floors. Towering ceilings. Light streaming through just enough to let us imagine what could be.

It was raw, industrial, and oddly poetic—like it had been waiting for us to say yes.

Fueled by a healthy dose of determination (and probably too much coffee), we made the leap. After a unanimous vote from Town Council, we dove headfirst into the due diligence process—environmental surveys, architectural plans, fire marshal meetings—the works. We closed on the property in September 2020, and from there, the real work began.

The first big undertaking: installing a new fire suppression system, including underground utilities—no small feat. Meanwhile, we started the three-month move from our Charleston shop: countless trailer loads of equipment, materials, and dust collection systems, all transported with the help of our incredible dream team.

By May 2021, Perrin Woodworking was officially up and running in its new home.

(We’re skipping over a lot of long days and late nights, but you get the point.)

And then came the next chapter—the one we’d whispered about for years. A space that celebrated not just what we make, but how we live.

We poured ourselves into transforming the space. Planning. Demolishing. Rebuilding. Financing. Designing. Sometimes questioning our sanity. Slowly, The Shed began to reflect not just our craft—but our creative philosophy.

By June 2024, we opened the doors to Windhorse Gallery—not just a showroom or extension of our studio, but something entirely new. A love letter to creativity, craftsmanship, and connection. Windhorse wasn’t born from trend or ego. It came from the belief that art and craft deserve to live side by side. That people crave meaning, beauty, and story—not just products, but the heart behind them.

The response from this community has blown us away. From neighbors and fellow small businesses to artists, town leaders, and curious visitors—Port Royal feels like home in every sense of the word.

Time truly flies when you’re doing what you love in a place that feels like it was waiting for you all along. As we celebrate Windhorse’s one-year anniversary, we’re reflecting on the full journey—the risks, the sawdust, the sunsets, the growth... all of it.

Port Royal, thank you for welcoming us with open arms and open hearts. We are endlessly grateful to be woven into the fabric of this cool, coastal, far-from-ordinary town we now call home.

Of course, this is still just the beginning.

We’re dreaming even bigger. Collaborating more deeply. Welcoming new artists. Listening more closely. Saying yes to what matters—and no to the noise.

And if you’re reading this, we hope you’ll stay on the ride with us.

With deep gratitude,
Katy Jo + Dan
(a.k.a. The Perrins)

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.