It is a pleasure to announce that 13 of our recent Professional Course graduates will be exhibiting their work at this year’s Young Furniture Makers exhibition. This exhibition showcases the very best furniture and furnishing design talent from emerging designers and woodworkers. With several awards up for grabs at this year’s exhibition, we’ve got our fingers crossed for the Chippendale alumni.
This recognition is a major achievement for our Professional Course students, some of whom arrived at the Chippendale School with little practical furniture making experience. Throughout the 30-week course, students dedicate themselves to learning the craft, and mastering a wide range of skills, from woodturning to veneering, along with essential business and marketing knowledge to prepare them for successful careers ahead. To be shortlisted by the Young Furniture Makers is a testament to their hard work and commitment! You can learn more about this talented bunch here.
If you are in London on the 2nd of October 2024 (1pm – 8.30pm), be sure to attend the exhibition at the Furniture Makers’ Hall and help us cheer on our graduates!
Jean-Philippe Clark
Arts & Crafts Settle and Little Cabinet with a View
Jean-Philippe’s career as an outdoor educator and conservationist ignited a curiosity in the evolution of humans and the use of tools to create remarkable objects. This passion led him to woodworking, which he embraced wholeheartedly throughout the Professional Course. Now back in his native Arizona, he continues to craft timeless and unique furniture through his business, Jean-Philippe Clark Furniture.
Dave Farcht
The Whittingehame Table
After over 20 years with the US Government, including roles as a Border Patrol Agent and advisor in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dave turned to his passion for woodworking, a craft passed down from his father and grandfather. Encouraged by his wife, he pursued woodworking professionally and founded Honored Heirlooms Woodworking in 2023. Now, Dave is focusing on creating fine, handcrafted furniture.
Simon Montgomery
9-to-5 Desk
For several years, Simon dedicated his weekends and evenings to transforming his family’s home through bespoke joinery and furniture-making. Leaving his job in the IT industry, last September, Simon came to Chippendale in the pursuit of his dream of starting a furniture making business. After graduating, he founded Go Merry Studio, focusing on designing and crafting beautiful, functional furniture using innovative and sustainable materials.
Maria Hensley
SID
Maria has always been drawn to product design, making, and DIY, making a career in furniture making a natural choice. Her furniture designs are inspired by interior challenges she’s faced at home, incorporating various techniques and joinery methods she learned on the course. Maria has dreams of setting up her own business – so watch this space!
Michiel Vrenegoor
The FitzRoy Cantilever Chair and The Fisher Writing Desk
Michiel, a former officer in the Dutch merchant navy with over 15 years of experience at sea, settled in Edinburgh five years ago to pursue a career in furniture making. His keen problem-solving skills and attention to detail, developed during years of navigation, have greatly influenced his woodworking designs.
Michiel’s business Fidra Furniture, now aims to craft bespoke freestanding and fitted pieces that blend innovation with tradition, seamlessly integrating into any space.
Matilde Mitchell-Wilkinson
The Nock Chair
Matilde Mitchell-Wilkinson graduated from Newcastle University in 2022 with a First-Class Honors degree in Fine Art and three university prizes. There she worked primarily with clay and metal. Her love of making three-dimensional sculptural forms from natural materials led her to apply her artistry and skill to the design and handcrafting of beautiful and timeless fine furniture pieces.
Ben Sims
The Hidden Gem Modular Cabinets
Ben is a furniture maker based in the Scottish Borders. After secondary school, he enrolled in a joinery and carpentry course, where he learned the fundamentals of woodworking. Wanting to focus on furniture making and design, he enrolled on the Professional Course and has since been inspired to establish his own furniture-making business at Myreside Studios.
Kevin Tronel
Verne Easy Chair and Marcel Dog Bed
Born in Nantes, Kevin’s interest in woodworking and Mid-Century Modern design was first ignited after spotting a teak sideboard at an auction house. From there, Kevin founded L’Atelier 20, restoring hundreds of iconic pieces and learning from masters like Robin Day, Finn Juhl, and Hans Wegner. While refining his craft on our Professional Course, Kevin launched Wedge Designs, blending contemporary elements with the Mid-Century style he deeply admires.
Daniel Butchers
Yew Wryd bench
Before attending the course, Daniel worked as an accountant but felt the urge to leave desk work behind and start creating. This led him to join a furniture-making business specializing in pieces for pubs and restaurants. Inspired by the Chippendale Graduate Exhibition in 2022, Daniel decided to further his skills by enrolling in the Professional course. Now, he plans to launch his own business, focusing on home offices, office furniture, and custom home-fitted spaces.
Matt Hardy
Spelk Side Tables
Matt spent several years touring the UK as a musician but was drawn to furniture making to fully control his creative process, from concept to completion. He is inspired by mid-century design and Bauhaus principles, creating playful yet functional contemporary pieces. Matt’s furniture business Spelk —a nod to his Geordie roots, focuses on creating bespoke furniture using handmade and traditional joinery techniques.
Will Rollitt
Japanese Coffee Table
Will’s love for furniture began at a young age, growing up surrounded by stunning antiques. His passion for woodworking led to him undertaking an apprenticeship, where he learned the craft directly from skilled makers in workshops.
After a few years, he sought more creative control over design and aesthetics, leading him to the Chippendale School to refine both his design and craftsmanship. Will plans to create bespoke furniture for private and commercial clients, initially working from Myreside Studios before eventually setting up his own workshop back home.
Laura Power
Crossed Leg Stool
Growing up in a home education community, Laura was surrounded by makers and explored various crafts such as green woodworking, turning, and weaving. In her early twenties, she embarked on a multi-year cycling adventure around the world. During a Christmas stop in India, she discovered a family-run block print clothing factory, where meeting the artisans inspired her to pursue traditional craftsmanship. Laura then enrolled in the Professional course at Chippendale, with a goal of blending beauty into everyday items through her work.
Noah Baker
The Doe Bay Desk
Noah travelled from the Pacific Northwest to Chippendale School to nurture their passion for woodworking, design, and craftsmanship. After an introductory course at the Port Townsend School of Woodworking and experience building sash windows and doors, Noah is now focused on the artistry of blending beauty with functionality. Through their custom furniture business, Auklet Studios, Noah aims to create a cooperative and accessible workshop, focusing on creating a community for aspiring makers.
To learn more about our upcoming Professional Course or explore our full range of courses, explore our website or get in touch.
