tim & richard germain

Brothers ... and contemporary furniture designer-makers

Tim's work 

When customers get in touch with me, the first thing I do is try to get to know them a little bit- hopefully see their house or office or garden to get a better idea of their tastes and see where the piece will go, talk about what they like and don’t like, what’s important to them, what they want the piece to do and not to do, discover what sort of impact they want to make and what their coffee’s like……

It’s not often in modern life that you get a chance to have something made for you….. I mean truly designed and made just for you…… or, indeed, for someone you love.  That, combined with the process of selecting a unique, original design, the knowing where the timber has come from, the visiting my workshop as the piece is coming together, all mean there is a real romance in commissioning a piece of furniture from someone like me.

Richard's work

I have made diverse items from poker tables through children’s bedrooms and into the garden, and use a range of materials. I love using solid timbers, and prefer to purchase my supplies from a local estate in the Thames Valley which produces a variety of certified, sustainable English timber. Equally however I am delighted with using modern materials such as furniture grade birch ply to make really attractive contemporary pieces in a number of situations.

Whenever possible, I undertake all aspects of the work, from the moment I buy the raw materials until everything is finished and delivered to my customer.   I often have help from my friend Chris, and furthermore I can also tap into a strong network of contacts throughout the region and can access their glasswork, metalwork or upholstery expertise whenever a commission needs additional skills.