These three chairs were commissioned to complete a four table setting in which the original chair (post Regency) was the basis for the table design (oval single pedestal). The chair itself displays numerous features from early periods. The front leg has the finesse that compliments the fashion women commanded and the strength only good design can generate.

European Walnut, a very durable timber grown in Orinoco, Nelson, was used to reproduce these pieces.

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Working in London in the early 1980s was an experience I could never forget. ‘The Firm’ – Roger Board and Son’ of Putney was basically a second apprenticeship (the first in Dunedin WM Nees and Sons). This company specialises in reproducing panelled rooms – Georgian, Regency, and Louis style. Most of the joinery is done by hand, and three carvers (a master and two apprentices) working at the window end of the Earlsfield workshop. I worked on the bench (making) for some time and then fitting out these rooms around England and Germany.

This corner cabinet was made on my return to New Zealand, from the R.B Sons catalogue. The material used was Radiata pine (the original is always Baltic pine). The carving is ‘shallow repeat’, and carved on the shelf perimeter are sausage and berry. There is also a fielded panel door and a dentil cornice. These cabinets were designed for the display of fine ceramics. The finish is waxed.

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New Zealand grown Sycamore (Orinoco, Nelson) was the timber used to produce this hutch. Again, the piece was commissioned by discerning clients with an eye for detail. Care was taken to faithfully reproduce the piece with just one small change – two double doors. These doors are each solid sycamore with a scallop-carved back relief. This method ensures a sense of lightness is achieved in the carving. Overall the effect of this pierced carving is that of fine and careful detail, but one that still exudes strength.

It must be noted that discipline is an essential attribute to any cabinet maker attempting this style of carving. Thanks again Mum and Dad for instilling that in me!

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These beds were commissioned by the client who had viewed the original in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. The beds also feature in Ralph Edward’s ‘Shorter Dictionary’ (page 29, plate 2); this entry was used as a guide to produce single beds complete with foot-ends and mattress bases. The linen-fold carve is slightly different and the carved posts have the same pattern of vase and foliage, signifying early Renaissance character. The beds are made of oak, stained, and French polished.

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This chair is the pattern chair from a commission which included a Regency ‘D’ end table with extension leaf and six chairs. The name ‘Admiral’s Chair’ came from the carved rope twist lumber rail, signifying the nautical influence of the day.

Swietenia – Brazilian Mahogany is the timber used. The reeding on the back legs and top rail was cut with a scratch-stock, one of the earliest tools in the cabinet making trade. The finish is a light-stain and French polish.

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A typical oak cupboard dating from the middle of the 17th century. The original is in the Geffry museum, London. This reproduction is a variation of that piece, altered in design to suit the client’s needs. The turnings on the drawer fronts are scalloped bottom-back and are in fact finger pulls.

The door stiles and rails are reeded, done with a scratch-stock with fret work and split turnings in the centre of the panels. Mouldings of the period dominate the top frieze area, incorporating dentil and brackets, hinges and escutcheon and were made in Wellington NZ. The finish is stain and French polish.

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This Demi Lune was chosen from ‘Ralph Edwards’ The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, Plate 24, Page 253. The piece was comissioned by the customer and was adapted to their requirements.

The cabinet pilasters, the turns, and all the solid clashings are solid rosewood. Brazilian hardwoods have been used for the marquetry refinements (the application of pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns, designs). The carcase itself is Fijian Kauri Plywood and the rails are New Zealand Kauri. The inside veneer is Fiddleback Sycamore. The doors were laminated upon solid formers and built to suit. The finish is French polish.

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The commission was to manufacture an extending dining table 3.2 metres (10’ 6”) in length, with 10 chairs in the ‘Queen Anne’ style. The Victorian Kauri table legs were found in an old Wellington workshop in their original packing case (they have never been used!). The carve is a solid incisive Acanthus traditional style. This chair is the ‘pattern chair’. It was scaled, drawn and built, then presented to the client. One change was made; the base spreaders were not required.

The set of 10 chairs were made from New Zealand Kauri, as was the table. The front cabriole leg was shaped from pattern and is constructed as such; bandsaw, ½ round rasp – spoke shave, ½ round medium file, cabinet scrapers and then sanded. This is an example of an interesting cabriole, balanced to suit the charge chair of that period. The long, elegant back was made using much the same process.

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This room is typical of the Georgian period. The commission was to design and build a library using the original fireplace and mantle, while utilising the bay window area for seating in this majestic old Victorian villa. Also involved in the project was the accommodation for a 2.4m wide (eight ft) drop down projection screen, a 65 inch plasma screen on an automated lift at the back of the seat area. All these theatre electronics are housed in the bottom cabinets and are featured on either side of the fireplace.

The room itself is 3.35 m (11ft) stud and required a reasonable sized cornice – 250mm (10 inch), incorporating a dentil section and traditional moulds.

The chair rail (Dado) is carved (as is the architrave, skirting and other areas), with a flower motif with dart, sausage and berry. These motifs are all traditional architectural carvings of that period. All of the panelling has been fielded and audio speakers have been incorporated below the day window seat. The timber is all New Zealand Kauri and it has been stained and has a French polish finish. The library ladder folds and is easily stored.

The use of a beautiful New Zealand timber like Kauri in a room of such grandeur makes for an attractive link between history, design, architecture and style.

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Designed for fine china, my intentions behind the design of this display case were to have a strong frame, with the least amount of timber possible and an accompanying glass front back and sides. The result is a Regency style. The piece also has a Rosewood veneered top and bottom, and a cross-banded edge and plywood. The frame and the doors are solid East-Indian Rosewood, reeded front corner pillars centre front pilaster, and the turned feet are solid Brazilian Rosewood. The finish is French polish.

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