Visit Tweed Valley is delighted to welcome Colin Semple Furniture Design as its latest local business member. From a studio housed in the old school at Stobo near Peebles, Colin designs and makes an exquisite range of original furniture using locally-sourced Scottish hardwood. We caught up with him to find out more
What do you love most about what you do?
I love the journey from a rough idea that gets refined over time with the client, then designed in detail before selecting wood and making the finished piece. No matter how many times I do it, it is a real thrill to see the final article develop. I also love the variety. No two projects are ever the same.
Tell us about some of the recent items you’ve worked on
There's been a great selection of projects recently. In the last few months, I completed a large-scale kitchen cabinet project, made a coffee table using an amazing piece of burr elm, and I'm now working on an oak living room corner cabinet.
What has been the most unusual piece you’ve created?
Last year, I was asked to make a tree for a church event. You’d think it would be easy to make a tree from wood but it turned out to be quite difficult making a credible looking tree! I think I was stretching the definition of ‘furniture-making’ on that one!
And the most challenging?
One of my earliest projects was a rocking chair. It turned out really well but making something that looked great, was comfortable and balanced and rocked well was difficult. I ended up making one in pine as a prototype to prove the design before making the final piece.
Where can people see your work?
My workshop is open 9-5pm Mon-Fri, and on weekends by arrangement. Visitors are always welcome. I also have a few smaller pieces on display at Tweed Art in Peebles. I display at various open workshops, including one this weekend (25-26 June), where I will have more completed work on display. Looking ahead, I’m taking part in an exhibition at The Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh that features furniture made from trees lost in the garden during a storm in 2012. More details on this will be posted on my website and Facebook page.
Further info
Also look out for Colin’s work at the Peebles Wood Market (22-23 Oct) as part of this year’s Tweed Valley Forest Festival. For contact details and more on his work, check out Colin’s listing HERE