Furniture school founder
Anselm Fraser trained as furniture designer and restoration expert with the renowned Michael Hay-Will and is today highly regarded as one of the UK’s leading exponents of the art of furniture making and design.
He is an inspirational teacher who marries the 18th century values of Thomas Chippendale with 21st century techniques.
His daily lectures, which range from tips on how to market a woodworking business to the complexities of modernist furniture design, are one of the highlights of the school day.
And he is always on hand to give individual advice and support to students, even long after they have graduated.
His approach to teaching is very simple – he believes that it is only by living and working with wood in a busy workshop that a student can excel in this most demanding of disciplines.
Those who teach still work
Anselm combines the demanding job of furniture school principal with running his own award-winning bespoke kitchen, furniture design and restoration business (Anselm Fraser Furniture) – so he brings his practical experience to his teaching.
His signature blue and copper style has many fans and he has restored some very fine pieces of furniture, including the poet William Wordsworth’s bureau.
Anslem brings his business expertise to the course. Being able to work with clients to design exactly what suits their home best, from the clean lines of contemporary units to the more traditional, solid beauty of oak, is a skill key to creating a successful business.
Furthermore, because Anselm Fraser Furniture works out of the same workshop as the school, Anselm’s students are able to see first-hand how a modern, professional cabinet making business operates. They are free to talk with Anselm about any of his commissions, and can even talk to his clients if they wish!
To see more of Anselm’s professional work visit his bespoke furniture and handmade kitchens website.