A client commissioned this sycamore Shoe Cabinet originally, alongside our dining table and chair set. A set of two cabinets, with each placed either side of the doorway, for shoes.
Lots of factors come in to play when creating something that has a particular purpose. In this instance, we had to take into account access, the sizes of shoes, and what kinds of shoes were being held. Practical uses require practical designs. Once this has accounted for you can then think about materials and dimensions to fit these purposes. All are part of the design process.
When working with furniture, you need to have the intended use in mind; else you end up with a pointless design and an unhappy client. It is a seemingly obvious but too often ignored part of the process.
This piece went through multiple design ideas that were going back and forth between our digital artist and the client. Nothing is ever right the first time, and it’s good to have an open dialogue from early on – a fresh perspective can help unlock the next phase of refinement.
This cabinet was a collaborative design, with the patterned marquetry the brainchild of a fine art student at Rowden Atelier at the time, inspired by a pattern already near the final home for the cabinets.
What we ended up making was something that not only looked good on its own but would blend in well with its surroundings.
