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Workshop improvements give students more bench space

Anselm wanted to ensure his tutors were kept busy during the summer holidays so they’ve been refurbishing the main workshop and creating more space round student benches.

“Because we are a not-for-profit organisation, we are continually reinvesting in our buildings and facilities. Every year we make improvements. Our students wanted more space round their benches so we decided to make our workshop even bigger,” says Anselm Fraser.

Vicente’s journey from Mexico to the Chippendale School of Furniture

This is a furniture student blog by Vicente Ridaura-Harvey from Tampico in north-east Mexico, five hours from the US border near the Gulf of Mexico. The photographs show the wonderful ‘throne’, one of the pieces created by Vicente at the Chippendale School of Furniture. Vicente explains that the arms and curved back of his chair …

Vicente’s journey from Mexico to the Chippendale School of Furniture Read More »

International Furniture School wins Chamber of Commerce Family Business Award

The Chippendale International School of Furniture has just won a local Chamber of Commerce Award for a successful Family Business by “demonstrating sustained success across a broad range of measures”. The award is sponsored by local accountants and tax advisors, Springfords, and the ceremony was hosted by Queen Margaret University.

Anselm Fraser and his wife Antonia set up the international furniture school near Gifford more than 25 years ago. More recently, they have been joined by their son, Jamie, who graduated from the furniture school this June and is now one of five tutors.

“The school’s success means that for the second year running we have a full student roll for our furniture making and restoration course”, says Anselm Fraser. “Forty per cent of this year’s new students come from overseas, including Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Barbados, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

Making a contemporary four poster bed

A blog by Quentin Dimmer of Ghillie Dhu Furniture who graduated from the Chippendale International School of Furniture in 2011. While there Quentin won the students’ Best Design Award for his piece ‘A story teller’s chair – the Viking’s rocker’.

“I got the idea for making the four poster bed from a local antique dealer and friend of the family who suggested I make a four poster as they tend to sell well. I want to continue to make furniture that will eventually furnish an entire house.

Chippendale International School of Furniture on Channel 4

Dylan’s family goes on a short break while Secret Removers Alison and George make-over part of the family’s new home in Portobello, near Edinburgh. Will wife Catherine like the surprise?

The renovation team are also surprised to find active woodworm in a printers cabinet, so a visit to the Chippendale International School of Furniture is in order. Anselm Fraser shows them how to treat the woodworm using spraying and injecting.

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