Design, craft and knowledge of materials form the foundation to my furniture making process.

Design is all around us - it helps turn ideas into reality. It is a creative process that solves problems and proposes new ways of doing something. The phrase ‘form follows function’ is particularly important in furniture design. The function of a piece (what it is to be used for) is usually considered first before the form (how it looks).

The furniture I make fulfils a function and gives practicality to a given space but it also adds style and personality in its form. As well as considering how a piece will be used and what it looks like I’m also thinking about how it will be made. Form, function and fabrication?

As a designer-maker of bespoke furniture I’m often asked to make pieces to fit a clients particular needs - a Console Table to fit an alcove or a Desk lower than standard height. This is the essence of Bespoke Furniture design - creating a design that is unique and tailored to the individual clients needs yet maintaining my sense of style and personality. The final piece finds the balance between form and function.

Craft

A Craftsperson or Artisan can be defined as someone who is extremely skilled at a trade or craft. It is a value that is earned through hard work - honing, refining and practising a set of skills over the course of a career. But it is more than simple repetition - it is a quality that comes from creating with passion, care and attention to detail.

Artisanship in woodwork is rooted in tradition and history - centuries old methods that are still relevant today. Traditional tools and hand skills form the basis of a Woodworkers skillset. However, the adoption of new styles and techniques are also key to innovation and improvement and should be embraced. Modern machinery and power tools are a welcome (if noisy) addition to the workshop but shouldn’t eclipse traditional hand skills.

As a woodworker I am drawn towards the subtle variations that occur between eye, hand and wood. The look of a hand-cut dovetail, the feel of a freshly hand planed piece of wood - all just slightly imperfect but perfectly human. To my mind this is the essence of artisanship - the pursuit of precision and accuracy but without losing the creativity of the process and the human touch. My aim is to make each piece to the best of my ability, to be proud of my work and continue to learn and expand my skillset.