Fernanda Nunez’s 'Guilloché' bedside tables awarded Claxton Stevens Prize

Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman, Fernanda Nunez and Master Tony Attard OBE DL

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, has awarded bespoke furniture maker Fernanda Nunez the prestigious Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize for her 'Guilloché' bedside tables.

The Claxton Stevens Prize – the ultimate accolade for designer-makers – is presented annually to the most outstanding design awarded a Bespoke Guild Mark in the livery year.

The 'Guilloché' bedside tables were the 476th design to be awarded a Bespoke Guild Mark in the award’s long, prestigious history. The tables represent Fernanda’s first self-designed project – an endeavour that took six months to complete and over 100 hours of extremely detailed carving and sanding work.

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Fernanda Nunez’s 'Guilloché' bedside tables were recently awarded the Claxton Stevens Prize

The design draws inspiration from a once much used but now almost forgotten decorative technique for engraving metals, the Guilloché, which creates an illusion of movement on the tables. The effect of the Guilloché pattern is enhanced by the pale beauty of the maple, evoking the rising sun. It's framed by the dark silhouetted shape of the bamboo scaffolding, conceived to create contrast through its black stained legs and rails.

Fernanda was presented the prize by Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman, who was representing the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Alderman Vincent Keaveny, at the Installation Dinner of The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Master, Tony Attard OBE DL, on Monday 9 May 2022 at Mansion House in London.

Daniel Hopwood, Bespoke Guild Mark chairman, said: “We were delighted to award Fernanda Nunez the Claxton Stevens Prize for her 'Guilloche' bedside tables. Not only are they well-made but also offer interesting techniques in shaping the drawer fronts to create the illusion of movement, as well as being a thoughtful, useful design. This was an early project for Fernanda and we look forward to seeing what she makes next.”

Fernanda said: "I'm honoured to have been awarded the prestigious Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize for the best Bespoke Guild Mark of 2021. This is both a wonderful recognition for all the meticulous work that went into making the 'Guilloche' bedside tables as well as an affirmation to continue creating unique and bespoke pieces. I hope my work provides inspiration for younger designer/makers to push boundaries and aim for the highest standards.”

To find out more about The Furniture Makers’ Company, see www.furnituremakers.org.uk.

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