Our Sussex workshop is not a factory. There are no assembly lines, no flat-pack components shipped in from overseas, and no shortcuts in the construction process. Every solid oak piece we make is built by hand by craftsmen who take the same approach to joinery that was standard practice in British furniture-making 100 years ago.
Timber selection
We source our European oak from sustainable, FSC-certified forests. When a delivery arrives at the workshop, our head craftsman selects the boards for each commission by hand — looking at the grain pattern, checking for any defects, and matching pieces that will sit next to each other in the finished piece so the grain flows naturally.
Joinery
The joints are where the quality of a piece of furniture is determined. We use traditional mortice and tenon joints throughout our frames, with drawbored wooden pegs rather than modern metal fasteners. This is the same construction method used in furniture that has lasted 200 years — and for good reason. The joints allow the timber to move naturally with seasonal humidity changes while maintaining structural integrity.
Finishing
Our finishing process begins with hand-sanding through multiple grits to achieve a surface that’s smooth to the touch but still shows the natural character of the grain. We then apply your chosen finish — natural lacquer, white oak, golden oak, Cath 8 or medium oak — in multiple coats, flatting back between each application.
