My Story
Traditional Woodworking in York
My name’s Seb, and I practice traditional woodworking in York. I make practical home furniture with hand tools and traditional joinery.
I didn’t start out as a woodworker, far from it! My first job was a SCUBA diving internship in Mexico. I’ve since stacked shelves, pulled pints, written articles, driven vans, delivered post and spent plenty of hours clacking away at a keyboard in IT. Woodworking came almost by accident…
One summer holiday from university, I found my room completely empty! Not a shelf or wardrobe in sight.
I had two choices – buy something mass-produced from the usual suspects that would never last or truly belong, or try build something of my own.
My first attempts were a little rough around the edges but they sparked an interest I’ve quietly pursued ever since. Over time, that curiosity grew into a deep respect for the wood, tools, and the simple satisfaction of making things that last.
Today, I design and build wooden furniture in York with traditional hand tool joinery that fits its space and serves its purpose for generations to enjoy.
My Values
The heart of my work lies in slowing down, taking time to make something properly, with care, and purpose. I believe in using my hands, choosing honest materials, and designing furniture that can live many lives.
The way I work is shaped by three simple principles: to make by hand, design for longevity, and build with respect for the material and the world it comes from.
Handmade
I’m committed to honouring a Heritage Craft, making furniture by hand with traditional joinery. Early on, I realised the most efficient way to reach the level of quality I wanted was also the oldest – to cut and fit each joint by hand.
A connection is created when something is truly crafted. I feel it whether working on my car, coding a project, playing an instrument, or woodworking. There’s a closeness with the material, a familiarity of every detail and idiosyncrasy. It’s this process that gives each piece its quiet character that pulls on emotions and makes it worth more than the sum of its parts.
Versatile
I’m especially drawn to standalone pieces that lend themselves to being repurposed, furniture that can move with you and find new life in different corners of the home.
Take a simple step stool: it might help reach a high shelf, serve as a foot rest, seat a child, or hold a cup of Yorkshire tea (other teas will do nicely too). To me, that kind of adaptability is the best expression of good design.
Wood is naturally beautiful. The best way to respect it is to develop designs that remain useful for generations. I avoid chasing trends; I prefer clean, lasting forms that will always feel at home.
Sustainable
When responsibly managed, working with wood is one of the most sustainable practices we have. Trees absorb carbon straight from the air and hold it for as long as it remains wood, sometimes hundred of years.
I source my timber locally here in York, through trusted suppliers who share a commitment to sustainable forestry. By building with care and keeping things local, I aim to make furniture that’s gentle on the environment and built to last.
Let’s start a conversation
Everything I make begins with a conversation; about space, purpose, and the small details that make a piece truly yours. If you’d like something built by hand, made to last, and shaped to how you live, I’d love to hear from you: