Business Details
Expert Woodworking Courses in Surrey
Authentic Furniture is a dedicated community of skilled craftsmen and educators committed to preserving and advancing the art of fine furniture making. With a philosophy rooted in 'Learning by Making', we provide immersive, hands-on training for individuals at all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced professionals seeking refinement. Our courses are structured to develop essential hand skills, tool mastery, and project planning expertise, guided by instructors with decades of industry experience. We balance traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, offering bespoke furniture commissions that reflect both client vision and material integrity. Our Surrey-based workshop serves as both an educational hub and a production space, where students and clients engage with the full lifecycle of furniture creation.We maintain small class sizes to ensure personalized instruction, while our portfolio of award-winning designs demonstrates our commitment to quality and innovation. Through tailored courses and one-on-one mentorship, we empower students to transition from hobbyists to professional makers, with many graduates establishing successful careers in woodworking. Our dedication to transparency in processes, ethical material sourcing, and technical excellence has earned recognition from institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and Buckingham Palace. Whether through our intensive 12-month professional training program or weekend taster sessions, we strive to make fine furniture craftsmanship accessible and rewarding for all who share our passion.
Services
Furniture Making Courses
Bespoke Furniture Design
Woodworking Tuition
Custom Joinery
Timber Selection
Project Planning
Tool Maintenance
Design Consultation
Workshop Access
CAD Training
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of professional furniture-making expertise in instruction
- Our courses combine traditional hand skills with modern workshop techniques
- Small class sizes ensure personalized, one-to-one tuition
- We provide 2000-hour professional training with industry-standard equipment
- Award-winning designs featured in royal commissions and museum collections
What people say
Expert instructors
Hands-on learning
Supportive environment
Newfound confidence
Beautiful creations
Services
12-Month Furniture Course
This comprehensive year-long program transforms students into professional furniture makers. Through 2000 hours of intensive training, participants master hand skills, machinery operation, and project management. The curriculum covers advanced joinery, design development, and business practices for independent practice.
Bespoke Furniture Design
We create unique furniture pieces tailored to client specifications. From initial concept through material selection to final finishing, our designers combine traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Each piece receives individual attention to ensure perfect fit with its intended environment.
Woodworking Tuition
Our structured courses develop practical woodworking abilities at all levels. Students learn material preparation, tool handling, and joinery techniques through progressive projects. Instruction emphasizes both traditional methods and contemporary workshop practices for comprehensive skill development.
Timber Selection
We provide expert advice on choosing appropriate woods for specific projects. Our knowledge covers grain patterns, movement characteristics, and finishing properties of various species. This ensures both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity in final furniture pieces.
Project Planning
Professional support for furniture project development covers technical drawings, material quantities, and workflow organisation. We help translate client visions into practical plans while maintaining structural integrity and design coherence throughout the making process.
People
Liam O'Connor
Founder & Master Craftsman
With 15 years' experience, Liam combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design. He trained at the John Makepeace School and holds a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship. His work includes royal commissions and museum pieces, blending Irish heritage with international influences.
Questions
What experience is needed for your courses?
Our courses cater to all levels from complete beginners to experienced makers. No prior experience required for introductory courses.
Do you offer accommodation for course participants?
On-site accommodation options are available - please contact us directly for details and availability.
Can I get help selecting materials for custom furniture?
Yes, our experts provide full guidance on timber selection and material properties for bespoke commissions.
Are payment plans available for courses?
Full payment is required for booking, but we accept major credit/debit cards through secure online processing.
Do you offer international student support?
Visa support available for long-term courses. Our 12-month program particularly suits international students seeking professional development.
What tools are provided during courses?
All necessary hand and power tools are included. We teach proper usage, maintenance, and safety procedures for workshop equipment.
Reviews (6)
Daniel Perry
May 24, 2021
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The staff at Authentic are a pleasure to deal with, friendly and helpful. The quality of the furniture is second to none. The range of fabrics available is impressive to say the least. Couldn't be happier.
Adam Hartley
May 03, 2021
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We purchased an item earlier from this company after seeing an advertisement, however we were scammed out of 5000 currently this is being investigated buy the OMDB Authority please stay away from this company we cannot believe this has happened to us!
Mcallister White
Apr 18, 2021
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Please do not use this service, very racist telephone operators who will mimick your ethnic minority accent for a laugh and will laugh in the background with their colleagues extremely upset by this service please do not use.
Andrea Fitzgerald
Jul 15, 2020
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Be very wary when buying. Customer service stops at point of sale. If you have a problem do not expect to get it resolved quickly, if at all. 10 months on and despite numerous emails to staff and the MD still waiting for replacement cushion infills as the ones fitted in my sofa were incorrect
Steve Taylor
Dec 13, 2019
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A great showroom and two extremely helpful and knowledgeable young ladies at hand to help. They were very helpful and were not over bearing in any capacity. Thank you...
Blueizaac
Oct 12, 2019
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Fantastic showroom experience, however I havent given it a 5 as the sofas took too long to make, almost 3 months, however we were given 2 free cushions as compensation. The comfort and quality is amazing and I would recommend this company
