Sam has cut and seasoned local coppice hazel, finding ways to use this irregular timber, and preserve its bark. “I wanted not only to use a very sustainable, affordable British wood, but to bring more nature into our homes and reconnect us to the raw origins of our materials.” Now comes the Arwen storm chair, crafted from beech, Scottish elm and wild service (and inspired by Storm Arwen of 2021). Sam explains: “We are getting more and more severe storms in the UK, due to rapid climate change. Trees come down in large numbers, and it’s difficult to get them all planked before they rot and release the carbon they have sequestered during their lifetime.” Accordingly he has designed a simple seasoned chair frame to take any suitable timber that’s come down in storm. Rather than glue, it carefully-positioned adjustable wooden fixings that allow un-seasoned timber to move and rest over time. “A choice of timbers that work in harmony with each other can commemorate trees lost.”

Sam has a BA Product and Furniture Design, Kingston University

@s_a.mcbride