Twickenham-based furniture designer, Tim Fenby really can turn his hand to anything. From tables, chairs and sideboards to beds, sofas and garden furniture, his designs can be seen at a multitude of retailers. Miranda Jessop meets the maker
The idea of becoming a furniture designer first came to me when I was helping out in my family’s interior design business. I realised I had an eye for detail and enjoyed working with three dimensional forms. One of the best decisions in my life was to study for a degree in furniture design.
My big break came immediately after graduation when I took a job with Ducal, one of the leading furniture manufacturers in the UK at the time. Just as I joined, the design director retired; I was thrown in at the deep end and I had to learn very quickly. It was tough at first but, looking back now, I really landed on my feet.
Ten years ago, fuelled by my desire to create beautiful, understated furniture, I set up my own business, Tim Fenby Design Ltd. I now work with a variety of manufacturers and retailers and have built a reputation for creating aesthetically pleasing and commercially successful furniture collections for my clients.
The collection I am most proud of is the Jenson collection that I designed for made.com. My original brief was to create a Nordic influenced dining range which was contemporary, linear and simplistic. I started with a dining table, bench and chair and I have now extended the range to include living, bedroom, office and hallway furniture.
My dream commission would be to design furniture for a boutique hotel. Crafting unique pieces that combine to create a specific ambience without the constraints of large scale production would be a lot of fun.
I couldn’t do my job without my camera phone. When I am out and about, I am always clicking away, collecting ideas and inspiration for future projects. I also make sure I visit at least one trade show a year; the main ones are in Milan and Cologne.
I am full of admiration for the early Scandinavian designers especially Hans Wegner. He was a skilled cabinet maker who became the undisputed master of Danish chair design. I particularly like his Wishbone chair; it is so beautifully crafted.
My advice to people choosing furniture for their homes is to keep it simple and not to worry about following the latest trends. Be sure to make the most of any natural light and surround yourself with pieces you truly value.
I would describe my own house as a real family home. As a father of two teenage boys, it is not a show home by any stretch of the imagination; it is an eclectic mix of things we have collected over the years.
When I see one of my pieces displayed in a shop and I think back to the very first sketch I drew of that particular design, it is incredibly rewarding. It can be a long process and I feel a real sense of achievement and renewed energy.
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