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Philip Clayden trained as a furniture designer maker in the late 1980s, inspired by a desire to study furniture design and contribute something unique to the world. He set up his first workshop in 1990 in a traditional timber-framed barn in the Chiltern Hills - an area of outstanding natural beauty, and now works from a self-built studio workshop nearby.

His aim has always been to create aesthetic forms that will provide inspiration and enjoyment both immediately and throughout the years. “I am making furniture to be loved and prized - heirlooms of the future”, he says.

Working as both an artist and a craftsman, a hallmark of Philip’s career has been the wide variety of projects he has undertaken, giving him the opportunity to develop his skills in many areas. He recognises the great privilege of being chosen to provide furniture that will form part of his clients’ lives, and so strives to maintain the highest standards of originality and quality of construction.

Attentiveness to the client is one of the key values underpinning the processes of consultation, commissioning, design and making. “My clients are looking for furniture that both expresses their individuality and perfectly fulfils their practical needs. For this reason my work cannot be compared to mass-produced furniture ” he says.

Once the functional aspects of the design have been resolved, the task shifts from that of the engineer to that of the artist. He explains: “my task is to clothe the functional with the aesthetic: The functional aspect of a design must be offered within the proportions and forms which generate its aesthetic impact.”

Whilst being involved with every kind of furniture and room layout design, in recent years Philip has developed a particular interest in public works, often involving carving. This flows from a belief in the vital importance of good design in public and shared spaces. Examples of his public work range from the finely carved choir-stall prototype made for Dorchester Abbey – a national heritage monument, to the sculpted Gates that surround the Iron-Age hill-fort under the care of the Northmoor Trust.

In his words: “I have a fascination with structure and form... I am never content to rest until I have solved a design question with a really exciting design.”

Philip employs skilled craftsmen to undertake many of the tasks of production: preparing the raw timber, cutting and shaping the components, assembly and finishing. He divides his time between designing, developing prototypes in the workshop, and carrying out the carving and fine detailing that contributes most towards the uniqueness of his work.

If you would like to discuss a need you have for bespoke work, please contact Philip by email or phone +44 (0)1491 641889.

Recommendations from clients:

“ I am writing to thank you for the work you put into making the magnificent Bishop’s chair and Prie Dieu for the church. The Bishop himself commented on the qualituy of the workmanship….” – Revd Duncan Carter, Henley on Thames.

“ Once again I wanted to thank you so much for the oak coffee table. We all love it! The design is amazing and it is beautifully made….” – Mrs J Oram, Westminster, London

Client List

SELECTED FURNITURE COMMISSIONS

1990 Desk with shelves, aumbry with pierced and carved roundels for Rycotewood college show

1991 Carved bed for the principal of the Fine Arts College, London. Carved suite of domestic furniture for Mr Lees, Stoke Row

1992 Four boardroom tables and thirty five upholstered chairs for the National Association of Local Councils, London. Library for Mr Rowe, Warborough

1993 Carved bookcase and altar furnishings for St Mary’s church, Ipsden. Suite of dining room furniture for Mr Crook, Henley

1992 Bespoke kitchen for Ian McEwan, novelist. Artists desk/work-station for Mrs Armati, Henley. Carved desk for Mr Getley, Ipsden

1998 Library and table for Dr Hyman, tutor in Aesthetics, The Queens College, Oxford

1999 Carved bed and wardrobes for Dr Hyman, Oxford

2000 Bishop’s chair and prie dieu for Holy Trinity Church, Henley-on-Thames. Carved bookcases for Mr Mullard, Radley School

2001 Altar rails for St James, Pangbourne. Coffee table for Dr and Mrs Oram, London. Desk for Mr Crawford, London

2000 Design for altar furniture, St Mary’s Church, Henley. Bespoke kitchen for Mr McHugh, Reading. Sideboard with video and CD storage for Mr Bucket, Henley

2001 Refurbishment designs, riddell posts and candlesticks for St Birinus Church, Dorchester. Bespoke kitchen and wardrobes for Mr & Mrs Hart, Woodcote

2004 Carved notice boards, missalette holder and bench for St Birinus Church, Dorchester. Study for Dr Hyman, Oxford. Chapter room table and ten upholstered chairs for Blackfriars, Oxford

2005 Sacristy for St Birinus Church. Design proposal for new choir stalls, Dorchester Abbey

2006 Chapel interior for Sacred Heart Church, Henley on Thames. Gates, welcome posts and lecterns for Nothmoor Trust. Suite of furniture for multi-faith room, Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital

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