There are many myths and misconceptions about modern furniture making and as a team we are always keen to share our thoughts on this exciting and evolving industry. Here we take a look at 5 surprising facts about how furniture is designed and made.
Technology is the craftsman’s friend
We have spoken before about the fact that technology enables individuality and innovation and we know this is a concept that can be hard to understand. In many people’s minds it is either man or machine, not both together. Our design software helps us do some pretty complex mathematical calculations which actually facilitates innovation. Add to this the fact that our two CNC machines make it easier and more cost effective to customise our designs and you can see why we see technology as the maker’s friend, helping us make the most of our skills for modern furniture making.
It isn’t just established designers and manufacturers like us who can benefit. We collaborate with small makers and designers to help them test their ideas and create prototypes using our CAD/CAM and CNC technology. As a fairly small workshop with big capabilities we have the flexibility to help them tweak their designs and run small production batches.
Design is a two-way thing
You might think that customers come to us with a request and then we go away and make it for them. This could not be further from the truth. As you can see in our step by step guide to designing your own furniture designing custom products and interiors is a journey that is enjoyed by both us and our customer. Regular communication throughout the design process helps us gain a solid understanding of the required style and purpose of the piece. Even during manufacturing we keep in close contact with the client, sending photographs as the furniture begins to take shape or inviting the customer into the workshop to see it for themselves.
Things are built to last
The word ‘modern’, when associated with furniture, has not always been positive. Mass production has created cheap products that rarely stand the test of time and the concept of investing in furniture that can last generations may seem like a thing of the past, not the present. It is refreshing to be able to show our customers that furniture can still be made to measure and built to last. Traditional manufacturing techniques help us create robust pieces that have strength and durability designed in.
Sustainability is at the top of the agenda
The low grade materials used in mass production can be difficult to repair or recycle which means they ultimately end up on landfill. Modern furniture makers believe very strongly that making something with care from quality, natural raw materials is one of the most sustainable forms of manufacturing out there. Most importantly of all, when something has been made with passion and care it is more likely to be cherished for a long time and less likely to be thrown away.
Designers are becoming more collaborative
One of the wonderful things about the modern world is that businesses and individuals are recognising the benefits of collaboration. This is certainly the case when it comes to modern furniture making. Here at Dovetailors we recognise that as master craftsmen we have a unique set of skills which includes design expertise, manufacturing capability and our own workshop equipped with the very latest technology and equipment. All of this makes us the perfect partner for high end furniture designers who need quality components. We can manufacture these reliably and efficiently as part of their production line. Once we have completed our components, we can pass these on to other experts such as upholsterers for the next stage of manufacture. We are also able to help up and coming designers develop their products using our CNC machines. We have met some very talented furniture designers because of this and have developed some exciting partnerships.