It was really good to talk to furniture maker Christian O'Reilly this week and learn all about the commissions he's been working on over the last few months. In his guest blog, we hear how two historic buildings in the South West will soon be home to some of his fantastic work...

"I am currently very busy on two big and exciting restoration projects in the South West.

I met Amanda of Le Page Architects at Bovey Tracey craft fair this year.  We started talking about one of my console tables and moved onto discussing her work on St Aubyns Church in Plymouth.  She mentioned she was looking for someone to make the altar and other church furniture.  It is a departure from my usual work as I generally design all my own pieces and the architects had produced the original designs.  But the more I found out, the more interested I became.  It has been a huge social regeneration project of a dilapidated Victorian church into a library, with the church moving onto a mezzanine floor.  I have really enjoyed working with the architects and the Rector on this.  I am now embroiled in the satisfying challenge of making the pieces in time for the Christmas services. (altar in progress pictured above).

I have also designed and am currently making new seating for the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter, which is re-opening on 15 December 2011, after its four year restoration project.  I visited the museum in October, when I was asked to put forward designs and was completely blown away by it.  It is a magical place and I can’t wait to take my two young sons.  My designs were inspired by the building and had to be driven to some degree by the short time available for making.  

There has been no rest over the last few weeks but I have thoroughly enjoyed it."

Many thanks to Christian for writing for us and we can't wait to go to Exeter Museum to see the new seating.

Christian's furniture is available to buy and order through madebyhandonline and please do get in touch if you'd like to discuss any commission opportunities with him.

add a comment

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.