Brandon at Common Ground Studios

Brandon at Common Ground Studios Meticulous Detail. Exceptional Service. Premium Craftsmanship.

We had to put our own spin on the pearlized look. 🤍💎Starting with a pair of Vans Authentics, we hand-distressed the sued...
09/02/2026

We had to put our own spin on the pearlized look. 🤍💎

Starting with a pair of Vans Authentics, we hand-distressed the suede to give them a worn-in, textured finish before adding pearls, crystals, and aged details throughout the upper.

Inspired by the pearl-heavy Vans releases we’ve been seeing everywhere lately, but reworked through our lens with a little more texture, imperfection, and hand-built character.

And now we’re thinking… would y’all come to a workshop where you could build your own pair? 👀

Ten years, built into every detail. 💜This anniversary Air Max 90 build was designed around the client’s favorite shades ...
08/26/2026

Ten years, built into every detail. đź’ś

This anniversary Air Max 90 build was designed around the client’s favorite shades of purple, but the materials are what really make this pair special.

The upper features Italian metallic cowhide with a ghost-like finish that gradually wears away over time, revealing a metallic purple/lilac pebble grain underneath. The more the pair is worn, the more its character starts to show.

We paired that with eggplant Italian calf suede, a metallic lilac lambskin liner, and custom laser-engraved details throughout—including the tongue tags, heel tabs, and both the lateral and medial heels commemorating their 10-year wedding anniversary.

A pair designed to celebrate the first ten years, while changing and evolving with everything that comes next.

Swipe through for the details. →

Swipe to learn more about the materials and story telling involved with this build ➡️Our client asked to create a pair o...
08/13/2026

Swipe to learn more about the materials and story telling involved with this build ➡️

Our client asked to create a pair of Air Jordan 1 Highs that feature the following details:
- The number 2
- New York Yankees theme
- New York Rangers theme

We felt that if we were to mesh 2 different sports teams into 1 cohesive sneaker, it would be ideal to use a silhouette that reflected 2 different viewpoints coming together. So, we went with the iconic Union x Air Jordan 1 Highs.

The lateral swooshes were made from authentic Horween Baseball glove leather. It was our first time using it and it’s probably one of the nicest leathers we’ve ever worked with. Over time the swooshes will patina slightly and age into a darker brown.

One of the more “IYKYK” elements of this pair is that we wanted to use an icy outsole to mimic the ice rink the New York Rangers skate on.

The number 2 was laser engraved onto the lateral heels and it honors Derek Jeter and Brian Leetch…our clients favorite players for those two teams.

The baseball stitch was self taught. While it isn’t a hard stitch to do, it’s more difficult than we thought it would be due to how the stitch has to work. The stitch only works when there isn’t an underlay/overlay.

Meaning; the 2 pieces of leather have to be flush with one another. We’ve never done this before on a pair of shoes but we love how it turned out.

We also did this with the intention that the baseball stitch was always going to replace the iconic Union Zig-Zag stitch.

The medial swooshes were made to be mismatch. The silver represents the Stanley Cup and the Gold represents the gold used in the MLB Commissioners Trophy.

The white pebble grain leather is one of our staple leather’s that we use. It’s Italian cowhide and paired perfectly with the Rangers and Yankees color schemes.

The toe cap utilizes an Italian cowhide leather that is extremely soft and has a great feel in hand. It’s also probably the closest color to the OG Union AJ1 High Storm Blue pair.

And last but not least, the sock liner. This sock liner is constructed using an authentic MLB Yankees jersey. While we could’ve put this on an exterior panel we wanted this shoe to be wearabl

07/10/2026

A closer look at our most recent pair of customs for the one and only David M Balyeat 🇦🇷

Featuring:
- Removable fold over tongues made from an authentic adidas Argentina Home Kit.
- Gold Italian cowhide three stripes.
- Custom color matched dip dye

This pair was created for Dave’s love of Argentina and to celebrate their World Cup journey so far. Will Argentina bring home another championship?

Hey Siri, play “Take Me Home, Country Roads” 🇺🇸 Down 10 men and still put in a shift by winning 2-0 against Bosnia & Her...
07/02/2026

Hey Siri, play “Take Me Home, Country Roads” 🇺🇸

Down 10 men and still put in a shift by winning 2-0 against Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦. What a battle…if you just started watching football, you picked a hell of a time.

Let’s go again on Monday vs. Belgium 🇧🇪 for that revenge match.

Today we celebrate Spains 🇪🇸 victory over Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 today during their World Cup game in Atlanta with a resounding...
06/21/2026

Today we celebrate Spains 🇪🇸 victory over Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 today during their World Cup game in Atlanta with a resounding 4-0 (sorry Saudi Arabia fans).

This pair of Sambas is made from authentic adidas Spain 2026 Away kit which features this intricate pattern woven into the fabric. We paired it with Italian two tone suede which compliments the cream upper. The heel tab is made of patent muted gold which is a nod to their 2010 World Cup championship.

Would you believe me if I told you these were black prior to this dye job?
05/21/2026

Would you believe me if I told you these were black prior to this dye job?

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Raleigh, NC

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm

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