Furniture designer/maker Michael Slaney had three pieces of work selected for the prestigious 'Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design' exhibition held at Cheltenham over the summer. The exhibition profiled outstanding furniture made in wood, selected from the best furniture makers from all over the Britain.

Michael set up his practice in Foxfield Business Park, near Broughton in Furness last year with assistance from both the Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER+ Programme and Cumbria Woodlands, as well as support from the Furness Enterprise Scheme.

One piece chosen for the exhibition was his 'Wildwood' bedding chest which was made from some very highly figured elm sourced from near Bassenthwaite. In describing what led him to design the chest initially Michael Slaney said:

"I noticed the elm in a corner of the yard and it was so unusual I just had to have it. I resisted working with it until I had designed a special piece of furniture in which its unique qualities, especially the bark inclusions, would best be shown."

Once completed the chest was sandblasted locally, and the handles and hinges were hand-forged by a blacksmith based in Ulverston.

Through supporting ventures such as Michael Slaney Designs, the LEADER+ mantra of linking Cumbrian products with the Cumbrian landscape remains strong.

Michael Slaney's ethos celebrates the use of local materials and services wherever possible. Michael works to commission and can be contacted at his workshop telephone 01229 715014. His work can also be seen locally at Pinfold Gallery in Bowness and at Tinner's Rabbit in Ulverston as well as (by appointment) at the workshop.

Please click on the links below to view other projects of the month: