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Designing Furniture

A few thoughts and tips on designing furniture, and in particular designing furniture to be built by hand.

Why You Need A Spoon Rack

July 27, 2015 By Helen 19 Comments

how to build a spoon rack

Choosing a project for a video build is a tough decision. Picking the first project is even tougher. We didn't want it to be too complex or too simple and we wanted to ensure there was a lot that could be learnt. We had all of this in mind when we opted to build the spoon rack, but we know you're … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture, Premium Videos, Woodworking Projects

Out Lives It’s Favour

October 28, 2014 By Richard Maguire 20 Comments

As woodworkers I'm sure that we all see furniture purchasing in a different light to most. There's nothing that makes sense less than knowing that people are happy to spend on a rickety flat pack which won't last two minutes, but can't justify spending for a solid, well made piece which could last … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture, Hand Tool Approach

The Settle Chair – The Commode

October 22, 2014 By Richard Maguire 17 Comments

With their elegant lines, angles and smooth curves some chairs look wonderful in a room simply as a piece a sculpture. This isn't one of those chairs. This one is square and very plain, but then that's what attracted me to it. When I first caught sight of it in a photo it appeared so wrong that I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture, Woodworking Projects

The Three Stooges

October 8, 2014 By Richard Maguire 11 Comments

I love a good chair. You really can't over estimate the need for your own little resting spot; a place to take the weight off, enjoy a good meal, or even detach you from a drab space while you become engrossed in something much more interesting. A chair should be sturdy and dependable but by no … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture

Sligo – Worth A Second Look

October 30, 2013 By Helen 27 Comments

As a designer I tend to look at pieces of furniture for their aesthetic first whilst Richard, and I'm sure many of yourselves as well, look at things for how they're made instead. When I first came across a chair similar to the one shown it was a fairly poor example and I must admit I near … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture

A Cover Up

October 1, 2013 By Helen 27 Comments

One of the make or break decisions of building any piece of furniture can be made right at the end, when you decide how you will finish it. It's quite amazing how that simple decision can completely transform the look of your work so it really isn't something you want to get wrong - especially if … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture

Tomorrow’s The Day!

July 30, 2013 By Richard Maguire 4 Comments

I'm very pleased to say that the first part of our Wall Cupboard video will be available tomorrow. Helen's been hard at it with the editing and though it's taken a few days longer than expected we're learning fast and really starting to enjoy making these - I'm already thinking about the next … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture, General

Building Replicas – What’s The Point?

February 27, 2013 By Richard Maguire 9 Comments

Everything we build is inspired to some extent by what we see, and generally this will be either from nature or from history. Recreating old furniture is common place and often we’ll only aim for a likeness to a particular style without being too concerned about historical correctness though it’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture

Robin Hood’s Chest

February 11, 2013 By Richard Maguire 9 Comments

The European Woodworking Show is a great place to meet up with some real craftsmen; people who’s crafts genuinely become a part of who they are. Another highlight for me last year was meeting with Willy Rackham, an archery enthusiast and expert at fletching and making longbows. Willy wasn’t hard to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture

Furniture for the Home – Design Origins (Part 3)

November 15, 2012 By Helen 2 Comments

The nailed together ‘boarded’ furniture of my previous post remained in use for many hundreds of years and it’s this continued popularity that makes us feel that its worth attention even today. Early, surviving chests were built for settings such as a church or castle and were large and featured … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing Furniture

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