News

A young Australian furniture designer who graduated from the Chippendale International School of Furniture in June has been shortlisted for two awards in the prestigious Young Furniture Makers Awards.

Alex Stanton, 24, from Brisbane, who came to the school with no real woodworking experience, has been shortlisted first for his Shou Sugi Ban hall table in Ash (Design Award).

The second shortlisting was for his sideboard in Rosewood and Walnut veneers (Bespoke Award).

Organised by The Furniture Makers’ Company, Alex’s pieces will be exhibited at the Young Furniture Makers exhibition in October.

The event showcases the very best furniture and furnishing design talent, offering industry the opportunity to connect with young, creative designers.

The Young Furniture Makers Awards are the student equivalent of the Company’s Guild Marks, recognising excellence in the fields of bespoke, design and innovation.  

He is currently launching his business in the UK called Alexander Stanton Fine Furniture & Design, from incubation space at the school.

These spaces, Myreside Studios, allow graduates to set up their own businesses, while still having full access to the school’s facilities, equipment and tutor support.

Alex did have the advantage of having had three years of experience fitting timber floors and staircases, and also had a long interest in designing furniture.

His first project was his shortlisted hallway table, with beautiful decorative flourishes.  For its legs, Alex moulded laminated supports that were a design echo of Gothic cathedral architecture.

He also incorporated African ebony veneers into the leg supports, and carried that colour contrast through to the Douglas fir drawer fronts, using a burning technique, called Shou Sugi Ban, which originated in 18^th century Japan.

Alex also made a small and delicate display cabinet in oak and spalted Beech, and a steam-bent coffee table in olive Ash and spalted Beech.

His last piece, for which he has been shortlisted, was a fluted sideboard in rippled Rosewood with Walnut veneers.

Due to late cancellations, there are two places available for the school’s 30-week professional course starting in October, which provides a complete pathway into professional fine furniture design and making.

“Alex proved himself a gifted woodworker over his year with us, and we are delighted that he has been recognised so early in his career,” said Tom Fraser, deputy principal. 

To find out more about the School, see
The Chippendale International School of Furniture website.