Meet Alasdair Sandy Furniture

Designer and Maker since 2022

Beautiful Woodwork

1. Where it all began

My foray into the world of woodworking started at fifteen, when our house's worn-out, beyond repair, doorstep required attention, and reasonable repair charges were conspicuously absent. The daringness of youth compelled me to proclaim, 'these videos make it look doable, I can handle this.' Taking this first step kindled a love for woodworking in me that evolved into a professional endeavor.
Beautiful Woodwork

2. First-Class Furniture Designer & Maker

It became clear to me that my deepest aspiration resided in crafting furniture, leading me to investigate several potential routes. My bids for apprenticeships were greeted with numerous somewhat stern rejections due to my age. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a degree program that offered the perfect fit. I then undertook a course in furniture design and craftsmanship at the prestigious Rycotewood Furniture Centre in Oxford. Having weathered the trials of academia during a pandemic, I graduated with the highest honours. The accolade of having some of my final projects nominated for awards inspired me to launch my own business.
Beautiful Woodwork

3. Setting up my business

From the get-go, I was convinced that running my own business was my vocation, taking pleasure from participation in all stages. To fast-track my progress, I even tailored my research paper on 'Launching a Successful Furniture-Making Business‘. While the study was grounded in theory, it scarcely touched on the actual experience required to drive my venture, but I thrive on difficulties and am continuously gaining fresh perspectives to enhance my work.
Beautiful Woodwork

4. Sustainability

While studying at university, I became aware of the rampant waste in the furniture manufacturing sector, and their pursuit of cost-effectiveness over sustainability. I was equally alarmed to learn that trees in the UK are often converted into firewood or chipped, which is disheartening considering the inherently beautiful and distinct character of English timber. In an effort to counter this issue, I make certain that all materials I employ are either locally sourced or, in cases where a specific material is requested, are sustainably obtained from an FSC-certified source.
Beautiful Woodwork

5. Inspiration

The Mid-Century Modern and minimalist Scandinavian design philosophies significantly influence me. To gain inspiration, I embarked on a journey across Scandinavia in Fall 2022 to deeply comprehend the essence of their style.