I don’t very often get the opportunity to make big feature pieces like this without the problems of alcoves, walls and ceilings, this unit is used to divide two rooms and made the installation relatively easy.

Being a perfectionist in my work means that I do work for some great customers that know exactly what they would like and need from a commission I see this as my aim, to build a customer’s hopes and dreams considering every detail.

A few details that in my opinion really make this unit. I would usually make something this big in two sections in length, but the overall look does then become two units bolted together. The customer and I avoided this with one centre upright, a small but important detail. I spray primed everything white internally and grey externally ready for hand painting once installed to add some brush marks and character. For a painted item of furniture such as this I would always consider man made materials ply or Mdf for most of the carcass materials. Some might see this as a cheat and not the materials a furniture maker would use but they are far more stable than a glued or laminated timber panel and the cost has no comparison, enabling me to offer the best price with no comprise on quality. After discussion the carcass was made from Mdf with softwood match-boarded back and tulipwood face frame and doors, this gives a stable solid carcass that would paint well, face and doors in tulipwood (American poplar) a nice reasonably stable timber that paints well and the back being knotty pine to give some character and any future movement won’t affect the structure. The doors have more traditional locks over handles these caused the most concern during design, the main issue was making sure the lock escutcheon fitted in the centre of the door frame without being seen through the glass. I am really pleased with the result and pleased that it was also loved by my customers.