Furniture Design: Interview with Tom Raffield

Increation loves finding inspiration from new and original furniture design and cabinet making, especially when it emanates from exceptional craftsmanship and a passion for wood. Tom Raffield’s lighting and furniture effortlessly showcases what is possible if you work with materials rather than fighting them. Through the traditional art of steam bending, the Falmouth College of Arts graduate creates the most beautiful organic furniture designs out of his Cornish workshop.

Our very own Master Craftsman and Head of Workshops Sam Chennell managed to catch up with Tom and see just what makes him tick.

SC: How did you come to fall for the art of steam bending? Is it something that was passed down or an expertise you stumbled upon and it was just love at first sight?

TR: I first came across steam bending when I moved down to Cornwall to study, there is a strong heritage of boat building here and using steaming is an age old skill. It was a bit of an eureka moment for me, I realised that all the crazy things I was imagining could be made by manipulating wood. It gave me so much freedom to create intricate and 3d objects, I think it would be safe to say that I was swiftly hooked on the process.

SC: We take great pride in sourcing sustainable materials for our cabinetry; you appear to take sustainability very seriously too: How much of your wood is sourced locally? Living in such a beautiful part of the country, do you self-source on your doorstep at all?

TR: We have a very clear policy on sourcing wood, being sustainable is at the heart of it. We base our sourcing on two things, ecological production and geographical distance. We always start as close to home as possible and work outwards if we are unable to source FSC certified wood from local foresters.
We have six acres of woodland here and although we are currently planting trees the woodland would not be able to sustain all of our current requirements, so we only use wood (mostly Ash) which comes from occasional fallen trees. In the long term we looking to use coppiced wood as this is a fantastic way to produce wood while sustaining a healthy woodland environment, however trees don’t like to be rushed!

SC: When using natural materials, do you find yourself fighting against the wood trying to achieve a pre-imagined shape or do you just go with it? How much of your design is determined by the properties of what you are working with and finding a natural form rather than a more traditional design process?

TR: I would have to say it’s a complete amalgamation of the wood, the process and me. There are always limitations with natural material and after working with steam bending for over ten years now it has surely become a natural consideration in my design process. However that is not to say that I don’t like to test the boundaries occasionally.

SC: You have recently put a lot of focus into your lighting range; do you prefer working with lighting design or is your heart still with free standing furniture?

TR: Bending a beautiful piece of English wood is one of the most satisfying parts of my work, so without a doubt I love creating pieces of solid furniture. The lighting has been a very natural progression for me, inspiration comes in many different forms and it’s about creating beautiful sculptural pieces which fit into any home or space. Not everyone has the space or money for a Chaise Lounge, it’s really important to us to ensure that our work is accessible.

SC: Increation was founded by our Creative Director Vincent Cullane as a cabinet maker; it is now a luxury Design & Build company. Can you see Tom Raffield going further than furniture in the future?

TR: We are a creative business always taking inspiration and looking to create, so we would certainly never say never. One thing is certain though, anything we do will be always be founded on the same principals we started with. Which is making things we love and making them sustainably.

SC: We’ve spoken a little about your locality and your work obviously screams Cornwall from its organic maritime feel. What is it about the South West that breeds such creativity?

TR: The environment is so inspiring it’s almost impossible to ignore, however it the lifestyle that facilitates creativity. The pace of life, the outdoor living, atmosphere and community suit imagination, there is space to be creative and live a simple and uncomplicated life down here.
A walk on the beach, seeing my children grow up by the sea, living in a woodland, it’s these precious things that feed my soul and how can you fail to create when you are happy.

You can see more of Tom Raffield’s work on his website.