Business Details
47 Years
experience
Crafting Excellence in Bespoke Furniture & Woodworking Education
I am a furniture designer, maker, and tutor with over four decades of experience in crafting bespoke furniture and sharing expertise through education. Since completing my training at Parnham College in 1979, I have collaborated with renowned designers like Wales & Wales and Illingworth & Partridge, contributing to prestigious projects such as the John Makepeace Workshops at Parnham House. My work, including award-winning pieces like the Somerset Chair and Grace longcase clock, has earned recognition from the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers.I now focus on teaching, offering tailored weekly classes in Somerset and short courses at institutions like West Dean College and the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine, USA. My approach combines technical mastery with a passion for nurturing the next generation of woodworkers, ensuring traditional and contemporary techniques are preserved and innovated.
Services
Bespoke Furniture Design
Furniture Making Classes
Short Course Instruction
Dovetailed Box Workshops
Steam Bending Techniques
Laminate Bending Training
Woodworking Tool Training
Custom Commission Projects
Details
- Year established: 1979
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of expertise in bespoke furniture design and making.
- Our team has collaborated with leading designers and won industry awards.
- We provide tailored classes for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.
- Our teaching combines traditional techniques with modern innovations.
- We operate internationally through partnerships with prestigious institutions.
Associations and certifications
- Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
Services
Bespoke Furniture Design
Creating unique, made-to-order furniture pieces tailored to client specifications. Our designs blend traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, using high-quality materials and techniques honed over 40 years. Ideal for clients seeking distinctive, durable furniture that reflects their personal style.
Furniture Making Classes
Weekly hands-on classes for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced woodworkers. Students learn fundamental and advanced techniques in a supportive environment, using professional tools and equipment. Focuses on developing practical skills and creative confidence through project-based learning.
Short Course Instruction
Intensive courses covering specific techniques like steam bending, laminate bending, and dovetail joinery. Delivered at institutions such as West Dean College and the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship. Designed to equip participants with specialist skills applicable to both personal and professional projects.
Dovetailed Box Workshops
Beginner-focused courses teaching dovetail joint construction and box-making techniques. Covers tool use, precise cutting, and assembly methods. Provides foundational skills applicable to broader furniture-making projects, with all materials and tools supplied by the institution.
Steam Bending Techniques
Specialist training in shaping wood using steam bending and related methods. Explores design considerations, material selection, and form-building strategies. Enables creation of curved components with simple equipment, suitable for both functional and artistic furniture elements.
People
Tom Kealy
Furniture Designer, Maker & Tutor
With over 40 years of experience, Tom Kealy is a master furniture designer and educator. He trained at Parnham College, worked with industry leaders, and now shares his expertise through classes and international workshops, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
Questions
What types of furniture do you design and make?
I specialise in bespoke wooden furniture, including chairs, cabinets, and unique commissions like the award-winning Somerset Chair and Grace longcase clock.
Are your classes suitable for complete beginners?
Yes, weekly classes and short courses cater to all skill levels, with many beginners progressing to create accomplished pieces.
Where are your woodworking classes held?
Weekly classes run from my Somerset workshop, while short courses take place at West Dean College (West Sussex) and the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship (Maine, USA).
What techniques do you teach in your workshops?
Courses cover dovetail joinery, steam bending, laminate bending, router use, and hand-tool techniques, focusing on both traditional and modern methods.
