Andrew Varah
Andrew Varah established his workshops in 1975, designing and making individual pieces of furniture. His 17th century English farmhouse includes old barns converted into sufficient workshop space for him and his five young cabinet makers. His workshop is just one hour from London by train and is within ten minutes of exits from both M1 and M6 motorways.
Andrew designs every piece, purchases all the materials and instructs his cabinet makers at every stage to completion. Each piece is personally supervised and handled by him. He will meet you anywhere, make models if necessary, submit a whole range of designs and let you decide in your own time how the commission should proceed. Almost every client wants to visit his workshops and by prior appointment this is always arranged.
Andrew's work has been commissioned by international household names and by individuals who want to experience, perhaps for the first time and perhaps on a limited budget, commissioning a small piece of furniture. He accepts that design is subjective and no two people will necessarily have the same taste. To Andrew this is an advantage – each piece is stimulating for the client and a challenge for the designer and maker. Andrew is best known for his contemporary designs and it is this area he finds most exciting. The pieces shown here give just a small taste of the possibilities.
No item is too complex for Andrew Varah. His skills include fine marquetry, specialist veneering, carving in solid wood, gilding and the use of glass and metal. Andrew is able to look back in time and design, though never copy, a period piece, so its design remains unique and yet incorporates the style, material and detail of the specific period.
Hand-made furniture is not necessarily expensive. Andrew is very happy to design and make to a budget and is equally happy to cost a range of options so that the client may choose how much to spend.
Every piece is unique and a reflection of the personality of the client. These few examples of his work are just a taste of the possibilities on offer. Commissioning a piece of quality furniture is a fascinating and rewarding experience and there is no finer way to start than with a call to Andrew Varah.
Email:
Web: http://www.varah.co.uk