My Custom Furniture Maker Story

Working with my hands has always been my way of experiencing the world—a journey where beauty, authenticity, and transformation converge. As a child, I spent countless hours watching my father and Poppa work their magic in their humble sheds. In those quiet spaces, custom projects were born from purpose, patience, and an enduring passion for craft.

In early adulthood, my passion for handmade expanded into the realm of music and songwriting—an art that, like fine furniture, demands precision, rhythm, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. It was during this creative interlude that I learned to nurture a spark until it flourishes, just as I later would in my bespoke furniture. With a young family by my side, in 2008, I left Auckland for Melbourne in search of a bigger musical world only to find that my true calling lay in the tactile language of craft.

The turning point came when my growing family found themselves surrounded by the inevitable clutter of mass produced, disposable furniture. At that moment, an influential book,“News From Nowhere” by William Morris, reignited my dedication to the world of craft and custom pieces. I transformed an empty shed into a dedicated hand tool workshop, my sanctuary where every cut, every chisel stroke, was an act of rebellion against the impersonal world of flat pack designs. It was here that I discovered the intimacy and precision that only hand tools can offer, a process that is both meditative and deeply creative.

Vanessa, my wife and best friend, recognized the depth of my passion. She encouraged me to take the leap of faith, to embrace the artistry of handmade furniture as a lifelong calling. That decision cemented my commitment to creating heirloom quality pieces that stand the test of time.

These days, I view my work through the intertwined lenses of a musician, a craftsman, and a philosopher. My inspiration is not born from mere images or current trends but from ideals—abstract visions of potential, transformation, and deeper meaning. Each piece carries the energy of its making, a story etched into its form that resonates long after it’s built. I seek out forgotten knowledge and traditional techniques, using them to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in a small, bespoke workshop.