Nick James's Blog

Oak Library

jamesdesign — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:15:20 +0000

This is an Oak library i recently made for some with alot of books. it is made in solid European Oak and has a sliding ladder so they can reach the top shelves [which are quite high!]

The design is modular and has the potential to be reconfigured should the client ever move to a smaller [or different sized] house.

Also below is the original design showing how the first ideas have turned into reality. All of my design now get drawn up in 3D perspective drawing using Sketchup, helping each client get an idea of what the finished piece will be like before we go ahead with the commission.

Glorious Technicolour

jamesdesign — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:33:59 +0000

I have recently made a new range for the exhibition Design MART. it is a 1950′s cabinet and drop leaf table that will be on show at Baltic Center for Contemporary Art this weekend.

What’s different about this work? I have included colours in the furniture, something I do not do very often because, well, quite frankly – it scares me! I do not know very much about colour, so I called in the expert help of my friend and artist Bridget Jones.

I have admired Bri dget’s prints for many years now. The chance to collaborate with her give me the extra confidence to try something new and let her guide me in the way of colour.

The original print was inspired by a jet engine in a local museum. The Jet Age is a 1950′s classic theme, so i responded to this print with a 1950′s style cabinet and crop leaf table.

The print was made and turned into Formica – another 1950′s classic, this material epitomizes some of the furniture of this period. Formica is another thing I am not used to or have much experience of, pushing this range of furniture further out of my comfort zone.

All in all I am very happy with the result and feedback so far has been favorable. Now I have made a few pieces using colour and laminate, I am keen to make some more – perhaps a nest of tables next…

Wardrobe for a 1 year old

jamesdesign — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:31:43 +0000

Recently I was commissioned to create a very special wardrobe – for a one year old boy! The wardrobe needed all of the things that a little boy needs [like shelves and hanging space] + I could not resist to put a secret compartment in it too. I can not tell you where it is for obvious reasons [but if you look very carefully at these photographs you can just about see it!

It’s great to think that this little boy will be able to grow up with is own wardrobe – spending a lifetime with this piece of furniture. it is built in solid oak throughout, so it will definitely last!

Back in time

jamesdesign — Sat, 28 May 2011 07:09:52 +0000

I am currently working on some speculative cabinets for an exhibition with artist Bridget Jones.
The 1950′s style cabinets will have Bridget’s beautiful imagery screen printed onto Formica, which will be used as the doors on a solid Oak cabinet. We will also be producing a table and mirror using the same materials to complete the range.

Takes two to tango

jamesdesign — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 06:16:03 +0000

I have recently delivered this pair of scribble tables designed to act as one larger table when needed or can split in two if required when two people on opposite side of the room need somewhere for their cup of tea and cake. They make a nice set and when i delivered them, and placed them in their final resting place it seemed like they had been there for years.

Good start to 2011

jamesdesign — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 07:52:46 +0000

Well – what a start to the new year! There’s been a noticeable increase in enquiries since Christmas + they are all nice jobs too! Mostly bedroom furniture + coffee tables.

This is one of two dressers I have delivered this week – should have been before Christmas but the snow put a stop to that. One of them has a TV that rises up out if the bottom unit. Very snazzy!

Wood powered workshop

jamesdesign — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:40:38 +0000

At long last I have had this wood burning stove fitted + just in time for the cold weather we are having right now.
The day I moved into my workshop almost 6 years ago I promised myself on of these. Now I have one and gave a place for all of those ‘hard to throw out’ bits of wood that have been accumulating in the workshop. Hopefully it will help to keep the place tidy as well as reduce my carbon footprint!

Bedroom suite

jamesdesign — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:06:09 +0000

Here is a recent piece that I have been making – an Oak bedroom suit.
My work seems to be getting bigger + better + this feels like a bit of a new way of working, certainly different to the days of small scribble tables. (although you might just see one in the picture!)

It’s been a while…

jamesdesign — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 17:49:56 +0000

So – seems like it has been ages since I last posted – that’s because lots of things have been going on – but I’ll not go into that here.
Below is a piece i have recently finished and will be delivering tomorrow. A dresser in ash with drawers and filing shelves. I was a bit unsure about the doors before I made it – as they are veneered, but they have come out well + make the design quite clean in the end.

It’s a family affair

jamesdesign — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:45:09 +0000

This is a nest of scribble tables, recently completed for a client who has just started a new family. I was excited by this commission from the outset because families are becoming something of a feature of my life. with my wife imminently expecting a baby also, this seems to be a something which is beginning to show itself alot in my work.

The cot below was made specially for the new arrival in our house. I couldn’t let my future daughter sleep in anything other than a handmade crib in Maple and Walnut, a delicate but pleasant combination of woods.