Ross Cunnison first came to the Chippendale school on one of our one-week introductory courses.

It gave him a taste of sawdust, and we were delighted when he signed up for our professional course.

We’re particularly pleased because Ross has really mastered the skills and dark arts of woodworking.

Not only that, but he has learned how to incorporate the small design flourishes that turn a good piece of furniture into a great piece.

Ross, originally from Stonehaven but now living in Edinburgh, had previously spent ten years working offshore in the oil and gas sector.

He also has a degree in geophysics from the University of Edinburgh.

Waterfall edge

His first piece was a sideboard made from olive ash.

It had two beautifully-dovetailed drawers and two cupboards, perhaps for spirits bottles and glasses and vinyl records.

The creative flourish of this piece was to incorporate a waterfall edge, with the grain of the wood perfectly falling from the cabinet’s top and down its sides.

That one feature elevated his sideboard from being a beautiful but functional piece of furniture into something very special.

He’s also made a lovely coffee table in walnut and oak, and a hall table in solid oak.

Even on the day before graduation, Ross was busy on a final project, to complete a Shaker-style Windsor bench.

With an oak seat and ash spindles and legs, it’s held together with olive ash wedged through tenons.

After graduation, Ross is going to combine furniture making, with his own company, Ross Cunnison Bespoke Furniture, with some offshore work.

PS…Our introductory course is designed to give students a chance to decide if a career in woodworking is for them.  If so, their one-week fees are deducted from the professional course fees.

Pictures: Ross with some of his pieces (main) and working on his Shaker-style bench.