We always enjoy working with interior designers, and this project was no exception. Although based in London Natalie Bourne Design was commissioned to refurb this beautiful house in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
Working alongside Natalie we designed and made a solid walnut L shaped record cabinet for the main living room. The doors were panelled in a stunning vintage linen and framed in white oiled oak.
The clients and Natalie also commissioned a walnut and oak coffee table to match, along with some wall mounted book shelving.
As seen in The Victoria & Albert Museum.
We were incredibly honoured to have been selected by Sir Terence Conran to take part in his project 'The Wish List'.
10 young businesses (us being one) were paired with some amazing high profile architects, designers and artists. They were to act as our commissioners, with their brief being to commission us to work with them to design and make a piece for their home; "something they had always wanted but never been able to find."
Collaborating with Sir Terence and Sean Sutcliffe from Benchmark were the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). AHEC gave us a wide range of American hardwoods to work with. Ourselves and our commissioner Alex de Rijke (of dRMM Architects and dean of architecture at the RCA) chose tulip wood as it was a timber Alex had used before with huge success in his project the 'Endless Stair'. The project was exhibited outside The Tate Modern before being shown in Milan, and pioneered the technique of cross laminating timber (CLT).
Alex wanted a large round sculptural dining table and liked the idea of trying to make it from CLT. Alex believes a round table is more dramatic - and around it, 'the best decisions are made, work is done, and drinks are drunk'.
Round it was to be and from CLT! Laminating timber in this way gives it huge structural strength and almost eliminates movement which is a common problem in the wood industry. Alex didn't want to use precious hardwoods, 'tulip wood is very fast growing and America has an abundance of it'. We all agreed the colour variation and grain pattern was beautiful so the project took off!
If you are interested in the list of commissioners involved in the project here it is: Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid, Paul Smith, Amanda Levete, John Pawson, Allen Jones, Richard and Ab Rogers …..and of course the best in our opinion by a country mile, Alex!
Designed by Alex de Rijke and Robert Barnby, made with Lewis Day and Mike Bradley.
We were delighted to be selected by Willis Newson and KKE Architects to work on their Macmillan Cancer funded project at The Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
The beautiful new state-of-the-art £7m palliative care unit is Macmillan’s biggest investment and build in Wales to date. The idea being to create a calming and restful environment for patients with incurable cancer and their loved ones to enjoy.
We were asked to design and build installation shelving for several large walls in the communal lounge and dining area. The brief wanted the design ’’to bring the outside in, use natural materials, and have uplifting qualities.”
Patients are encouraged to draw and paint, and our shelving offers an aesthetic space for them to display their work. End of life care is difficult, but these spaces are designed to elevate the spirits of both the patients, and the nurses who look after them.
I love that we were trusted with such an important project, and hope our small part helps make a difference.
Husband and wife team Nick and Sue combined great architecture (by www.hallbednarczyk.com), clean design and the beautiful rolling Monmouthshire countryside to create this wonderful space.
With an unrivalled energy for quality and detail they transformed what was once a dilapidated old poultry shed into what you see today. It really is a space we're jealous of!
Very pleased to have been chosen to work on the project, we were commissioned to design and make 3 oak double beds with storage and upholstered headboards, 2 singles, 2 benches, and a large dining table.
If you're interested in taking a relaxing break in the Welsh countryside do visit their site for more info and images……you wont be disappointed!
www.thechickenshedatparkhouse.com/the-building/
Photography by Michael Sinclair.
Designed by Robert Barnby and made with Lewis Day.
The flat pack table and bench aspect of this project was designed in collaboration with local architects CO2. Due to the clients having such a large extended family the brief was to design one large fixed dining table, and a second collapsible version with benches that could be hung on the wall when not needed. Two coffee tables then take the place of the dining table, reusing the A-frames from the benches.
Alongside the work on the kitchen we designed and built a dorm room comprising of one double, a single and a bunk. All had spare mattress trays beneath to offer as much sleeping space as possible.
The last piece we made was an oak vanity unit which was installed in a beautiful extension CO2 had designed on the rear of the house.
Working on beautiful properties is one of the most enjoyable parts of running a furniture business. Here we designed and built a run of fitted drawers and cupboards for a bedroom space in a local Herefordshire home.
Wye Valley Canoes, 'Posh Bunkhouse' does not adhere to your pre conceptions of this style of accommodation. Catering for 14 people on its mezzanine floor, this converted chapel is a really exciting space and an excellent project to have been involved in.
We were commissioned to design and make key pieces of furniture including the bunk beds, double bed, coffee and dining table with benches.
Keen to give its guests a little privacy the island of bunk beds (for 12) are partially and individually screened off. They also have their own plug socket, reading light, bedside and luggage shelf.
At 12ft long the Ash topped dining table offers a real focal point in the open plan living space. Providing ample space for the communal dinners and social events that make bunkhouse accommodation so much fun.
Nestled in a more private corner is the double bed. Scandinavian in appearance incorporating a beautiful Ash headboard and legs, with a painted frame for contrast.
Designed by Robert Barnby and made with Lewis Day.
'Psycle' is a new spinning gym venture spearheaded by husband and wife team Collin and Suzanne Waggett. Recently winning 'Best Newcomer' in the Tatler Gym Awards it's looking set to make its mark on the fitness world!
Realising that fitness relies heavily on motivation, Psycle sets out to create a positive and engaging atmosphere making it all a much more enjoyable experience. It's first site opened in early 2014 just off Regent Street, London. Future sites are already in the pipeline (next one Covent Garden), so needless to say we feel very lucky to have been chosen to furnish their sites.
Our furniture includes male and female changing room benches, towel shelving, reception benches and stools, retail table, coat rail and bar table.
Designed by Robert Barnby and made with Lewis Day.
For this project we specially designed a lovely low coffee table. We made the top with a white oiled ash to contrast the oak frame.
To tie everything in we made a beautiful long 3.8m ash worktop to sit on top of some pre existing white units. Both the client and ourselves were really happy with the crisp effect it created.
The client for this project had created a wonderful larch clad office space at the top of their garden. Designing furniture for quirky spaces like this is always good fun.
We were asked to design shelving to house a widescreen TV, Hi-fi and speaker system, and lots of lever arch files. Larch cladding on cabin exteriors is always a winner, so we wanted to design something that complimented it on the inside. Alongside the shelving we were commissioned to design a large sweeping corner desk with dovetailed drawers, and shelving beneath for a large printer and more file storage.
The white oiled ash frame was used to make a real statement out of the construction methods used, and the oak paneling then tied in nicely with the cabins floor, skirting and interior doors.