Sandwood Designs
● Bespoke Furniture ●
"Designed to suit. Made to Measure. Built to last."
Get in touch.
You've already taken the first step; you're here. Some people come to me with an image or an idea, others with technical drawings. Wherever you are in that process, you'll want to know how much it will cost you.
You can either tell me how much you are willing to spend and I'll design something within your budget or you can tell me what you want and I will work out how much it is going to be. Usually I'll come up with a few designs; one below, one on, and one above your budget to give you a better idea of what your money will get you.
You don't have to pay the full amount upfront, only a deposit and payments can be made on agreed installments.
You can get in touch via any of the options on the Contact page.
Get creative.
Create a criteria that you want me to meet: dimentions, timber, colour, thickness, style, function, capacity, materials, hardware, profiles, finish, deadline, budget, etc. If you are unsure on anything, I can talk you through your options.
When it comes to designing furniture, I usually start with pencil and paper. Once i've played about with some ideas, I use SketchUp to create 3D render. Using this computer software allows me to easily edit models and lift sizes and angles. This saves me time and you money but it's main purpose is to give you a better understanding of what the finished product will look like.
When you're happy with the final design, I'll have you sign it off. This involves the final drawing and details that have been discussed and means that there are no misunderstandings or misinterpretations; you get exactly what you asked for.
Get Started.
When it comes to using solid timber to make furniture, there is a lot that needs to happen before you even begin a single cut.
When you put solid wooden furniture in a home you are putting it in the opposite environment it's used to. It's goes from being out in the elements, day in day out for decades, to being inside an air-tight, insulated, temperature controlled habitat. So the drying process of the timber needs to be controlled and gradual to reduce splits and cracks and produce a stable material to work with.
The majority of timber merchants will supply kiln dried hardwood, which reduces the lead time on your project. If you've had a tree felled and would like it made into furniture, it can take several months to a year to dry properly, depending on thickness.
Commissioning furniture.
(A brief guide by Niall Wilson)
The process of commissioning a piece of furniture, kitchen, staircase or any bespoke project can seem daunting or too much hassle to some at first but, in truth, it only makes the finished product all the more meaningful to you. This section of the website will serve as a guide to commissioning furniture, from the first point of contact to tips on looking after your furniture. I'm always happy to help with any questions you may have, so don't be afraid to pick up the phone or send me an email.