It may all start with a phonecall, an appointment at the workshop or meeting me at one of a number of events I attend each year around the country (see calendar).
I offer a full design and make service for each customer. This includes:
- home or site visit with portfolios and material samples
- careful considered design using an agreed specification and budget (design fee applicable)
- scale models where appropriate
- timber and other materials specially selected for each commission, then carefully stored until use
- traditional jointwork: dovetails, mortice and tenons, etc.
- ergonomic considerations: comfort in sitting, how a handle feels and works etc.
- detailing is often subtle and can incorporate abstract elements of stories from the client
- customers are welcome to visit the workshop to view progress; if this is not possible, then a photo record of work can be made
- delivery.
I undertake a broad range of bespoke work, mainly furniture, but also including jewellery boxes and house doors. With plenty of notice, commissions for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries can be accommodated. The main timbers in use are from Britain, Europe and North America. These include figured oak, cherry, maple and walnut; with stocks of oak from Cumbria, Leicestershire, Staffordshire as well as France. More decorative solid timbers in stock include burr elm, flare walnut, quilted maple, spalted beech and mazur birch. Tropical timbers such as ebony, purpleheart, zebrano and tulipwood (rosewood) are used in small quantities as detail work.