Clerkenwell Design Week is just around the corner and confessions of a design geek is the official blog partner again this year. I thought I’d have a sneaky peak at who was exhibiting at Platform, the space for new designers, and I found Ambrose Vevers – a “wood wizard” based not far from my home county of Cornwall. I caught up with him to find out more ahead of the festival in May…
What’s the most important thing to know about you?
I’m a design-maker, lumberjack, timber frame carpenter, woodsman… wood wizard!
Tell me about your approach to sourcing materials for your work.
I’m lucky to have access to woodland and know a network of local landowners around Dartmoor. I use a portable sawmill that allows me to source all my wood myself. Sourcing my material in this way is very rewarding and allows me to use unseasoned green wood that is great to work with and steam bend. The other materials I use, such as oak tanned leather and rush, are also all sourced from Devon. I find it really fun being resourceful in my local area and it also enriches the story of my furniture.
What inspires you?
Nature, natural materials, vintage tools, wood shavings, chair making techniques, and furniture designer Gareth Neal’s work.
Why is it important to you to be based in the Westcountry?
I live in Ashburton, which is a beautiful town on the edge of Dartmoor. There is plenty of space for adventure. I can escape from my workshop and go climbing, kitesurfing or canoeing and get re-inspired.
How does your design process work from initial concept to final product?
Ideas develop from happy accidents in the workshop or sometimes I get an idea just as I’m drifting off to sleep. I definitely design through making and experimenting with materials. Although I have quite good CAD skills from my university days, I never use CAD anymore. I absolutely prefer to get hands-on in the workshop to being stuck in a ‘CAD hole’.
What defines good design?
It’s got to have personality, but still have a function. I’m really fond of hand crafted details using honest and modest materials. Most importantly it has to be made to last and age gracefully.
What are you most proud of?
I designed and built a timber-framed barn using only wood from trees that I cut and saw-milled myself. It was an ambitious project that gave me loads of confidence to take my craft to a new level.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Have fun with your work.
What advice would you give to a design graduate just starting out?
Don’t work for free, find a niche, start small, use social media, get good photos of your work, keep evolving, share an interesting story and stay inspired.
What are you most looking forward to about exhibiting at Platform as part of CDW?
I’ve never done a show in London before, so I’m excited to see the reactions to my work in the ‘big smoke’.
What else are you hoping to see while you’re there?
I’m excited to see the work of my friends and fellow graduates from Falmouth Uni, Alexander White and Rupert Mckelvie (Out of the Valley).
And finally, what’s your favourite colour?
The colour of fresh spring beech leaves.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
Great Article! Ambrose is a really talented woodsman and his furniture and woodwork are really wholesome and beautifully hand-crafted. We spent a weekend with Ambrose recently on his stool making course and he showed us some very special old, traditional, woodworking techniques to create some very beautiful stools. Watch this space… a very talented wood wizard indeed!