Walnut Charcuterie Boards
We decided to update our website and share some recently accepted new commissions with you.
So, we only began making Walnut charcuterie boards and Walnut catch-all trays in December 2024. Christmas was really busy, and whilst it was hectic, we felt proud that customers would unwrap beautiful and thoughtful handmade gifts.
Shakespeare & Taylor is an offshoot range of products from our established handmade kitchens and restoration of fine furniture company Corinthian Furniture LTD. The new collection was inspired by clients who spotted a charcuterie board we had made for one of our kitchens and asked us to make three for their friends.
That then instigated more conversations about making other products for everyday use but with a twist on beauty and craftsmanship. I contacted previous and current clients and asked them what they liked about our collaboration. Overwhelmingly, they told us that the experience of transforming practical but crafted things into something tactile and beautiful makes them ideal for personal use and as gifts from a Homeware brand.
Making new and different products has allowed me to remain faithful to wood, a natural material with which I have worked from apprentice to business owner and which never fails to surprise me! I can work with a piece of wood, and suddenly, the grain and swirl catch my attention, and I remember why I make things from wood. And how lucky I am to be able to do so.
I trained with old-school cabinet makers who, at times, I felt were too process-driven. Now, I am so much older and experienced, but not necessarily wiser; I realise that such processes with each cut and shaving tell a unique story about the original wood and the finished product.
Keeping the passion brings me to our new commissions. We have designed and handcrafted walnut incense burners for a new customer who deals with aromatherapy.
Specifically, she wanted to burn incense but not deal with the ash falling out of the holder, which had been her experience. I made a timeless piece with dimensions that elevated the incense and the ash within the scope of the product. I also put a circle within the wood so customers can store different types of incense.
Nibbles and Drinks Tray
We have now introduced some oak products into our range because a customer requested that we design a different take on our walnut nibbles and drink trays. They wanted to keep the tray’s clean lines, make it in oak, and use it for clients who walk into reception and are greeted with a drink and an herb-infused hot towel. The client was given a walnut tray as a gift and realised it would be perfect for her business.
A conversation starter has been our chopping board in oak. I had made several quality boards for kitchen clients and hadn’t taken the opportunity to make them solely for customers. I have used oak because it is durable and ideal for everyday use in the kitchen and I enjoy creating something which is used during meal times when people gather to eat, share food and pass the time of day. I like being connected in some small way when creating something which becomes part of something else for someone else.
The personalised text always makes me smile!
For details on our whole range, take time to browse our shop
