As the 2025 Chippendale Graduate Exhibition and Fine Furniture Sale draws near, our Professional Course students are putting the final touches on their fine furniture designs..
In this first instalment of our three-part blog series, we spotlight the graduates within Andrew and Len’s tutor groups—two cohorts of makers who have honed their skills over an intensive 30-week course.
These emerging designers have demonstrated remarkable creativity, craftsmanship, and commitment throughout their journey. We’re excited to celebrate their achievements and look forward to seeing where their talents will take them next.
If you haven’t done so already, book your free ticket for the Exhibition here.
Andrew’s Tutor Group
Aiden Devers
Aiden Devers studied sculpture and industrial design at an art school in South Carolina. It was during his second year that he discovered a keen interest in furniture-making, where he enjoyed the rewarding process of crafting functional pieces by hand. This newfound passion motivated him to delve deeper into design, with a specific emphasis on mid-century modern styles.
He is dedicated to creating furniture that is not only practical for everyday use but also possesses a sculptural presence, blending artistry with functionality. Each piece he designs reflects a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Upon graduating, Aiden plans to establish his own workshop in Florida, where he aims to continue his journey as a furniture maker. He will operate under the name Black Burl Furniture, offering bespoke creations that cater to clients seeking unique and thoughtfully designed pieces for their homes.
Andy Sams
After a successful career as a Creative Director at some of Edinburgh and London’s leading advertising agencies, Andy’s lifelong passion for design and creativity led him to the Chippendale School.
Transitioning to furniture making felt like a natural next step, offering the perfect opportunity to acquire new skills, work with beautiful materials, and create bespoke pieces. Overflowing with fresh ideas, he is determined to establish a new career as a full-time furniture maker.
With the launch of Studio Sams, he aims to collaborate with clients, architects, and interior designers to create furniture that transcends functionality and sparks conversation.
Nahe Beatty
Fahad is a passionate and emerging furniture designer from Saudi Arabia. With a bachelor’s degree in design, he is well trained in that area, however he lacked the craftsmanship aspect of fine furniture making which led him to Chippendale.
This course has been instrumental in honing his skills, enabling him to construct high-quality fine furniture pieces. Looking forward, Fahad plans to return home to Riyadh to start his furniture business.
Ryan Jones
Ryan discovered her passion for woodworking while studying scenic carpentry at a performing arts school in New York City. Since then, she has wanted to spend as much time as possible in a workshop, which ultimately led her to the Chippendale School of Furniture. What immediately captivated her about furniture making was the concept of creating pieces that are designed to last. Unlike the items she crafted for stages, which were only intended for a specific scene or act, good furniture becomes a part of people’s homes and evolves with them over time.
Ryan is particularly drawn to eclectic styles of furniture that feature intricate details and bespoke elements, such as carving and painting. After graduating from the Chippendale School, she hopes to continue her work in the UK as a cabinet maker, with the aspiration of one day building her own furniture collection.
Scott Kübel-Wilsdorf
Scott grew up in the Swiss countryside, where his love of the outdoors greatly influenced his aesthetic and his desire to create meaningful handcrafted objects.
After graduating from business school, he realised he wanted to pursue his passion for woodworking and enrolled in the Professional Course at Chippendale. His furniture reflects his admiration for nature and his homeland, featuring green tones and marquetry that depicts the landscapes of Switzerland on the side of his desk.
After completing the course, Scott plans to travel, starting his journey in Japan before continuing to explore the world of woodworking.
Len’s Tutor Group
Andy Boswell
Andy Boswell previously worked as a Restoration Mechanic, with a love of all things retro. Building and working on classic cars has always been his passion. However, seeking a change from the cold Scottish winters spent in the garage, he discovered the Chippendale School and recognised it as the perfect opportunity to embrace his creativity.
His pieces are inspired by mid-century modern design, featuring simple, pleasing lines that fit well into various homes and interiors. Drawing on his background in metalworking, he has crafted complex spring systems and fixings for his creations.
Chase Stringer
Chase began his woodworking life as a journeyman carpenter and installer back in Ohio. He wanted to refine his skillset by exploring his own artistic expression and freedom, which ultimately led him to Chippendale.
Throughout his experience, Chase has worked with various techniques, starting with a solid wood project and then moving on to a project using veneer. After completing the course, Chase plans to return to the United States to continue his woodworking career.
Jeremy Hollister
Before attending the Chippendale School, Jeremy Hollister spent 25 years in New York shaping motion content and design communications through We Are Plus, the creative agency he co-founded.
After years immersed in the digital and often ephemeral world of media, Jeremy was inspired to work with more tactile and physical objects. Furniture making offers a great way to combine functionality and craftsmanship.
Jeremy is inspired by unique and unexpected combinations of materials and textures as well as design engineering challenges.
Upon graduating, Hollister will further cultivate his design practice through Korrom Projects, a new design studio located in Scotland. His focus there will be on prototyping, refining his works into thematic collections, and experimenting with new ideas and techniques.
Marie Meiser
Marie embarked on her professional journey with a joinery apprenticeship in her home country of Germany, where she honed her woodworking skills and gained practical experience crafting various wooden structures. During an enriching exchange project in Italy, she was exposed to innovative design principles and techniques, which ignited her passion for furniture design.
Motivated by this newfound interest, Marie decided to further her education at the Chippendale School, where she immersed herself in advanced studies of furniture design and craftsmanship. Upon completing her studies, she intends to return to Germany to pursue her Master Joiner qualification, aiming to deepen her expertise and elevate her career in the woodworking industry.
Matt Kealey
Matt began his career in London after finishing university, but he soon realised that his true passion lay elsewhere. During lockdown, he returned home and began working on local outdoor carpentry projects. Through this hands-on work, he discovered a deeper interest in the structures he was building, particularly in the craft of working with wood.
This newfound passion led to an opportunity with a local furniture maker, where he enjoyed developing his skills and was proud to see pieces he contributed to featured in magazines. Inspired to take things further, Matt set his sights on designing and making furniture from start to finish, eventually launching his own business, Matthew Kealey Furniture.
Interested in attending the 2025 Graduate Exhibition and Fine Furniture Sale? Book your free ticket here.