The Frank Collection | Perrymans Fine Woodworking 5 pieces of minimal, functional furniture design, handcrafted with traditional woodworking techniques.
iCrowdNewswire -
Jul 30, 2017 7:10 AM ET
The Frank Collection | Perrymans Fine Woodworking
5 pieces of minimal, functional furniture design, handcrafted with traditional woodworking techniques.
About this project
We have been creating furniture from our small-batch workshop for two years, working from our own designs and in close relationships with clients. We’ve loved it. But we want to take the next step.
We plan to:
Create our first signature collection of five pieces.
Create a lookbook and accompanying graphics for the collection.
Exhibit the collection at a London design show, (we’ll be applying to exhibit at the London Design Fair, Clerkenwell Design Week and MADE Canary Wharf).
Show the collection in our bricks-and-mortar shop, rebranding as ‘The Perrymans Store’, to focus more clearly on our furniture design.
In return for helping us take our dream business to the next step, we’ve put together a collection of rewards that go some way towards expressing our gratitude.
If you’re thinking about supporting our campaign, we’re already sending you good thoughts and gratitude in abundance. That being said, we’ve also put a lot of thought into creating rewardsthat express our thanks in a more substantial way. From the very first iterations of pieces from the new collection, to phone stands and chopping boards that allow you to bring home a piece of Perrymans design without breaking the bank; we want you to know what a difference your contribution has made.
.
PHONE STANDS
(Pledges of £12 or more)
Bestsellers in our shop
Handmade in our workshop
Custom-made to fit your phone (we’ll ask for your phone size in the survey we’ll be sending out once the campaign is finished)
Simple + Functional + Beautiful
Approx W9cm x D6cm x H2.9cm
Wrapped and posted to you with a handwritten note.
.
.
CHOP BOARDS
(Pledges of £35 and more)
Handmade in our workshop
Crafted from mixed woods (such as oak, ash, sapele, walnut and maple)
Used for chopping, hung on the wall, or as a simple serving platter; these boards make timeless and significant additions to the home
At least approx L30cm x W19cm x D2cm
Made from at least two of the aformentioned woods
Wrapped and posted to you with a handwritten note.
.
PERSONALIZED CHOP BOARDS
(Pledges of £40 or more)
Stamped with a traditional metal set and hammer, (by an actual human person) with a message of your choosing, (we’ll ask you for details in the survey we’ll be sending out once the campaign is finished).
Each of these boards are totally unique from the other, making them particularly special gifts (plus we’ll do a little dance of joy that you took us one step closer to our target!).
Handmade in our workshop
Crafted from mixed woods (such as oak, ash, sapele, walnut and maple)
At least approx L30cm x W19cm x D2cm
Made from at least two of the aformentioned woods
Wrapped and posted to you with a handwritten note.
.
CHOP BOARD BUNDLE
(Pledges of £100 or more)
Three of our handmade mixed wood boards, chosen for their complementary materials, and tied up in a lovely bundle.
Our customers often buy batches of these boards to display together for a stunning tablescape or feature wall.
(Extra fancy for the fact that you’ll be able to tell dinner party guests that you supported a couple of kids with their woodworking dream!).
(Each board is at least approx L30cm x W19cm x D2cm, and will be made from at least 2 of the aforementioned woods).
Wrapped and posted to you with a handwritten note.
.
PIECES FROM THE FRANK COLLECTION…
Will’s work has always been focused on the meeting of form and function. He came to this game from the maker’s side, and worked his way up to the designing bit; it’s this grounding in the actual craft of woodworking that makes his designs so clean – no silly business, just good furniture. We liked ‘Frank‘ for this reason – honest, direct, undisguised. Oh, and around about the time Will was mapping out this collection, we were listening to a podcast about the no-nonsense architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and we liked the association.
.
THE FRANK SIDE TABLE
(Pledges of £260 or more)
Minimally designed side table in oak, with walnut drawer and brass handles
Traditional mortise and tenon joinery
Approx W40cm x D40cm x H60cm
Only available within the UK – we’re intending to deliver a selection of these pieces ourselves, on one long road trip around the UK in our van! For those we’re not able to deliver ourselves, we’ll be arranging courier delivery.
Emily – ‘We make and sell a wide variety of side tables from our shop – this design is based upon the lessons we’ve learnt re: design features, specifications and functionality’.
Will – ‘Using subtle angles and clean lines, I wanted to design something that was a minimal twist on a classic side table. I had this image of someone sitting back in the Frank chair, putting on their favourite record, and resting their coffee on the Frank side table (with a coaster of course!)’.
.
THE FRANK CHAIR
(Pledges of £525 or more)
Minimally designed angular chair, in oak, with walnut back panel and inlays at arms
Handwoven hemp seat (We used hemp upholstery cord because it has enough flexibility for weaving and enough integrity to make a strong seat, but also because it happens to be a subtle, golden colour that complements the earthy tones of oak. Painstakingly woven by Will himself)
Traditional mortise and tenon, spline reinforced joinery
Approx W60cm x D50cm x H67cm
Only available within the UK
Emily – ‘This is my favourite piece we’ve stocked – it always draws customers’ attention when they walk into the shop – and they are always surprised by how comfortable and strong the woven seat is. I also love knowing about the care and time with which Will has put into weaving the seat himself – I think people can see that care when they view the piece’.
Will – ‘I wanted to make this design as simple as possible – just the bare minimum amount of lines needed for functionality – then the details could speak for themselves. The most noticeable details are the walnut splines in the handles; these are there not simply for aesthetic reasons, but because they reinforce those joints. This chair is intended to last for generations’.
.
THE FRANK COFFEE TABLE
(Pledges of £625 or more)
Minimally designed coffee table, in oak, with walnut inlay feet
Traditional mortise and tenon joinery
Approx H44cm x L98cm x W58cm
Only available within the UK
Emily – ‘We had an earlier version of this design hanging from the ceiling in our shop when we first moved in – It always got people in the door and talking about it. I remember when it sold we were jumping up and down out of celebration! We sold it to the guys who were fitting out the coffee shop for the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts – so you can still view it there’.
Will – ‘This is a more grown-up version of one of my very first designs. I really like the angular lines of the first piece, but i wanted to bring in the subtle contrast of oak and walnut together – I think that’s what makes this piece stand apart from a more classic mid-century style coffee table’.
.
THE FRANK DESK
(Pledges of £995 or more)
Minimally designed desk, in oak, with walnut back panel and struts
Traditional mortise and tenon, spline reinforced joinery
Approx D60cm x W110cm x H120cm
Only available within the UK
Emily – ‘We often have clients discussing desk projects with us (you can read a testimonial from one happy customer further down the page). This design is taking into account all of the conversations that we’ve had over that time’.
Will – ‘I don’t like drawers as they tend to collect things – if you’re not using it you don’t need it there. In the spirit of utility, I also wanted to create something simple that could also double up as a side unit/console table when not in use as a desk. Each piece from the collection works with the other; so this piece is designed to complement the Frank chair’.
.
THE FRANK DINING TABLE
(Pledges of £3125 or more)
Minimally designed dining table, in oak, with walnut trestle
Traditional mortise and tenon, pegged reinforced joinery
Wedged through tenon detailing
Breadboard ends
Approx L200cm x W90cm x H73cm
Only available within the UK
Emily – ‘We always get a huge amount of traction from customers when we share images of dining tables we’re working on – I think that really shows how much they matter to people. This design is the cornerstone of the collection; demonstrating the amalgamation of Will’s woodworking skill with his minimal aesthetic’.
Will – ‘A dining table is the heart of any home. I wanted to design something that was a solid structure for kids to play on, whilst being elegant and grown-up enough for a dinner party. The traditional trestle wedge design allows for disassembly should you ever need to move the piece; meaning it can be a part of your family for generations’.
.’
‘It would be no exaggeration to say that it was love at first sight when we encountered the beautiful walnut chair at Emily’s shop. Even though we live on the other side of the country, it simply had to come home with us! I love the way it is profoundly elegant but also unapologetically modern. The dark walnut contrasts with the Scandinavian inspired woven seat, and the detailing of the joints and flush brass rivets shows the skill, love and thought applied to the design & construction. The Walnut Chair is a truly joyful piece of furniture that makes me smile whenever I sit in it.’ – Christopher Lewis, owner of the very first iteration of The Frank Chair.
‘We are really delighted with the furniture you have made for us, Will. From the outset you have both kept us up to date with design and progress. We were thrilled to see the finished product, it is so lovely to have something unique!’ – Gill Dowling, oak and sapele chest of drawers and bedside tables.
‘Thanks so much for my beautiful desk. The finish is amazing and it gets gasps of delight from all who see it. It was great working with you on the design to achieve something really special that is exactly what I wanted with extra twists and features that I would not have thought of’. – Sarah Weal, oak and ash desk.
‘We are very pleased with the bathroom cabinet that Perrymans made for us. They gave us some good suggestions and provided clear drawings which meant we were able to get exactly what we wanted. Thank you’. – Felicity Croydon, bathroom cabinet.
‘I was given this chair as a gift for my daughter. It’s so unique and made from good quality wood. My little girl is very happy with it, and they even carved her name into the back. It’s very cool’. – Bean Roux, ash and sapele children’s chair.
We’ve set our funding target at just 9k, to cover the absolute minimum we need to buy materials for the collection, work on it for 6-8 weeks, pay for a pitch at a design show, (and to pay our Kickstarter fees and create the rewards). Our experience over the past two years means we’ve got a pretty firm grasp on the costings – meeting this target will mean we’ve got what we need to take the next step!
(A little vid to say thanks for reading to the bottom of the page!)
———————————————————
All content featured is the property of its respective owners. We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has helped us represent our work! Credits have been made below:
Video – Tom Langridge – Thomas James Co
Music – Die Young – Sylvan Esso
Images – Product Images are our own. Profile and workshop images by Josh Alliston – @eastbourneanddown. Chop Board images by Annabelle Bradford.
———————————————————-
Risks and challenges
We’ve been making furniture full-time from our own designs, and in collaboration with clients, for two years now – so we’ve done most of our mistake-making already! Most importantly, we’ve got a keen idea of the various challenges that come up in this kind of design and woodworking, and a pretty firm grasp on how we might overcome them.
The variation in timber costs can fluctuate from a little to a lot – we always account for this in our costings now, so this shouldn’t represent a challenge for this project.
Equally, the time it takes to complete a project of this kind can vary based on the smallest of factors, (when you’re working with something that grew from the ground, it’s sometimes hard to predict how it might respond to certain processes). That being said, we’ve considered our timeline carefully, doing our best to account for delays, and bearing in mind the help of our additional team member, Dave.