The Commissioning Process

Are you looking for a piece of furniture to complement an existing space in your home?
Are you looking for something to really make a statement?
Are you looking for a unique gift for a wedding or birthday?

Commissioning a piece of furniture involves you personally in the creation of an object from initial ideas through to the finished article. The piece will be a personal expression. It will be unique and always contain something of you. You may have firm ideas of what you want, especially if you have tried and failed to find it on the high street. Or you may wish to give me more creative freedom.

First meeting

We will discuss the functions the furniture will fulfill, its style, scale and proportions.
You may wish the design to reflect ideas from other furniture you own, or perhaps other objects or forms that interest you or your eye might attracted to something in my portfolio.
We will look at wood samples and discuss choice of timbers and finishes. I will usually visit you at home so I can see the space the furniture is to occupy.
After the meeting I will confirm in writing the outline specification, your budget and the timescale involved. I will arrange to meet again to present the detailed design.

Detailed design

Starting from sketches and ideas, I will prepare a more formal design. Details and construction techniques will be resolved and the design will evolve while preserving the key idea at its core.
I will produce a detailed design or choice of designs. This will be in the form of a scale drawing or perhaps a model if the piece is more complicated or difficult to visualise. I will present this to you with a detailed specification, cost and expected start, finish and delivery dates. We will discuss the choice of suitable timbers if this has not already been decided and any modifications to the design.
When you are happy with the final design and I have received your deposit of half the cost, I can begin making.

The making process

The timber will be carefully chosen to provide a balanced set of components whose grain and figuring will complement each other and the form of the finished piece. After roughing out the components, time is needed to allow residual stresses in the wood to settle and moisture content to achieve equilibrium before the process of accurate making can begin. This is a precise and intensive process as each piece is prepared and finished by hand.
You are welcome to visit me at the workshop to see how your commission is progressing.
On receipt of the balance payment, I will deliver your furniture in person and will be able to advise you on the care and maintenance of the furniture and its finish.