A brief extra “hello” today, by way of a follow up to the piece we wrote about the Orkney Chair last April. We’re thrilled to see that New Craftsmen collaborator Kevin Gauld, who we interviewed during a trip to Orkney last March, is featured in the latest issue of House and Garden magazine.
Kevin, who runs his own company, The Orkney Furniture Maker, worked together with London-based furniture designer Gareth Neal to produce the Brodgar Chair, and the larger Brodgar Bench (pictured above).
Their modern reworkings of the traditional Orkney Chair are stunning examples of the art of straw-backed chair making. They were also one of the first collaborations commissioned by The New Craftsmen, whose mission is to keep alive British vernacular craft traditions, many of which are in danger of dying out.
You can read my interview with Kevin here, where we chatted about the fascinating history of the Orkney Chair. I learned about the intricate work and processes involved in creating these striking straw backs, and how this most traditional piece of furniture is still much in demand for the contemporary home. (Not just in Orkney and the UK, it turns out, but all around the world).
Discover more about the Brodgar Chair and Brodgar Bench at thenewcraftsmen.com, along with more information about The New Craftsmen and their work, plus many other examples of exquisite craftsmanship from around the British Isles.
Images: The New Craftsmen
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