Bough and Burr started in October 2021, however, my woodworking journey started a long time before.

Many year ago I bought a kit to build a hollow wooded surfboard. I thought it would be a fun project for the winter months. This is how I caught the woodworking bug, the feeling of creating a surfboard from a few planks of wood, carving long smooth curves from the square edges of the timber was unlike anything I had done before. It’s been 14 years since I made that board and I still ride it to this day!

Following this I made the step to furniture making. My first piece being a coffee table I made for my sister as a housewarming gift. From there I continued making things for friends and family as a hobby while I worked as an engineer. Last year I was made redundant but was in the fortunate position of having numerous commissions in my order book for took the leap to full time furniture maker

Through my journey in woodworking I developed an interest in Japanese tools. I was fascinated by the concept – in that they operate my being pulled towards the body rather then being pushed away (as is the case with western tools). This resonated with me and my interest quickly became a passion and now the majority of my tools are of Japanese origin.

My process focuses on designing and making furniture using traditional joinery techniques and with my collection of handtools growing, I chose to keep my workshop unplugged. This very literal hands-on approach gives me a deeper satisfaction having cut every joint by hand. I also feel it gives a deeper understanding of the piece of timber and the interactions between each component.