designer et ebeniste

Dovetail Chair Handmade
Inspired by conceptual art, the Bauhaus and Gerrit Rietveld.
The strength of the dovetail joints combined with the mitres
allows this piece to be « floating », as if defying gravity.
oak, 2019.
Tool chest for a 1950’s Chevrolet truck
This commissioned work gives the owner the opportunity to have
sheltered storage on the bed of his classic truck.
The wood and the Yakisugi technique give an antique look
to the chest, respecting the look of the truck.
Pine and Redwood treated with Yakisugi, 2020.
Shelves mounted on a table
The asymmetrical displaying of the shelves gives the piece a sculptural aspect.
The choice of combining two different pieces of furniture is inspired by
the courant movementof the tiny houses, and the idea of having
less living space, and less possessions, but maybe more practical.
Oak, 2020.
Cabinet on legs
The client wanted a subtly modernized cabinet on legs. The design embraces the classic shape of this kind of furniture, adding contemporary features, like the bicolour jointing and the closing mechanism.
Oak, fumed oak, burr elm, brass. 2020
Chair restoration
Antique chair. Minimum restoration to enable the client to use it while still respecting the looks of the chair.
2020
Coffee table
Very simple design, displaying the grain of the central piece (lacewood), by using a contrasting frame.
Lacewood and fumed sweet chestnut. 2020
2020
Detail of the dovetail chair

Technics

Mastering hand cut joinery is a long process and requires patience and discipline. It is essential to understand how wood reacts, even as a board, to its environment.
Having a good set of hand skills also makes a woodworker, in a lot of occurrences, quicker and more accurate than the machines. Hand tools provide the best fine adjustments.

Joinery is mainly hand cut in our work.

However, the possibilities given by machinery today are amazing and it is important to be able to use them properly. Accurate milling is crucial for a project’s success and some projects do not require the level of craftsmanship given by a hand tools only approach ; being a good machine operator can save precious labour time.

WOOD

Scotland is a great country for woodworking. It possesses a very important number of endemic species, and its climate is ideal for the air drying that wood requires before it can be used for furniture making. It allows makers to experiment with a variety of techniques, depending on the type of wood characteristics.

Oak has been our timber of predilection so far. But each project commissioned can be customized to the desire of the client.

Turned vase in spalted beech
Marquetry finished with shellac and white wax

Finishes

As a standard, all the pieces are sanded to a 320 (fine) grit.

A variety of finishes can be used depending on the piece. In most of the last realisations a combination of boiled linseed oil and wax has been chosen. As well as simply revealing the grain, it gives the wood a warmth impression and offers a protective layer that, if deteriorated, is easily fixable.

Restoration

Each piece that comes into our care for restoration is different and requires a specific treatment. Depending on the work needed, the appropriate techniques will be applied while respecting as much as possible the integrity and identity of the piece.

While studying at the Sorbonne where I have had the opportunity to study art history, I acquired knowledge and sensibility towards our cultural heritage. The craftsmanship that I acquired, allows me to play a part in furniture and antique conservation and restoration. 

Antique chair taken in for restoration

Longevity

The question of restoration raises an essential point of bespoke furniture making. In a society of ever-growing consumerism, it is important to be careful of the way our actions impact the world around us.

Restoration and furniture making both are a different answer to not throwing away furniture, and buying cheap and often, in mass production retailers. To make the choice of purchasing the long lasting, the furniture of a lifetime, and fixing what has been transmitted to us.

Timber is as much as possible sourced locally and therefore, not only purchasing bespoke furniture does support craftsmanship in your country but also supports the local economy.

3D design render

Design

Design is a very important part of constancefurniture. My personal creations are highly inspired by my art history background and each piece is thoroughly thought before creation.

There is a whole design process to go through before starting the milling. Inspirations, drawings, 3D rendering and material samples are studied carefully to make sure the piece is relevant to the concept behind it.

Tools

Tools are always a difficult choice, especially for beginners. Lockdown has taught me that a lot can be done with very little tools.

There are however for general purpose, some that we cannot do without, the essentials.

  • A straight edge, a ruler, and an accurate square
  • A sharp pencil and a sharp marking knife
  • A block plane and a smoothing plane
  • A mallet and a hammer
  • Good quality steel bench chisels
  • A fine kerf saw and a regular saw. Pull saws suit me the best, but it is a matter of personal preference.


As a rule of thumb, woodworking is a matter of personal preference and practice is the only way to get better.

3mm chisel and marking knife

About

After getting my Art History degree at the Sorbonne Pantheon, I decided to deviate a little for my theoretical studies to start making.

I made the choice of learning woodworking at the Chippendale International School of Furniture. I learnt the craft of fine furniture making and restoration, and was taught how to give life to my own designs.

It only makes sense for me to take advantage of my art history background to create pieces that resonate with my former world, in the shape of functional art.

 

In addition to manufacturing my own designs, I also take commissions for bespoke pieces.

Contact Us, We design and build