Behind the work bench - Get to know our founder.

Let’s start at the beginning:

Keelan, founder and cabinet maker at KB Joinery Co.

1. What first got you interested in joinery? 

   
   

I had a relatively keen interest in woodwork at secondary school, and as a younger child was often interested in how things worked. I did well in design technology at secondary school passing with a B grade (something I'm still secretly quite proud of) and as it became time to leave, I decided to pursue carpentry and joinery at college. At the time, I had no idea that there were so many potential avenues I could pursue, 1st fix, 2nd fix, traditional joinery etc. It wasn't until I found my apprenticeship that I really understood the scope of our industry and that was where i really fell in love with the process of making fitted and freestanding furniture, kitchens and some other commercial joinery items.

2. What do you love most about the work you do now? 

   
   

I think it’s the process of understanding a client’s problem and then working through the design process to find a suitable solution, coupled with then working with the raw materials and flat sheet materials that we use to bring that solution to life from the design we jotted on paper. 

3. What inspired you to start KB Joinery Co.? 

   
   

I think the inspiration came from working at a joinery shop as a maker and later as workshop manager where the product we created was fantastic but the client journey was always…bumpy, and then moving on to work for a designer who’s product was also fantastic, they really had their customer service nailed down but ultimately it just wasn’t challenging enough creatively and the pieces weren’t as involved as I was used to. I decided I wanted to try and bring both experiences together, great design and functionality with customer service to match.  

On design, craft, and process:

4. How would you describe your approach to design and craftsmanship?

That’s a hard one, probably warm, modern, linear and mixed material

5. What materials or details do you love working with the most and why?

I like a design with clean linear details and enjoy incorporating thin, clean metal elements into our designs, we often use brass. Depending on the combinations of materials, there’s an opportunity to add luxurious warmth into a design by introducing brass and bronze detail or cold brutalist details with steel. It’s just super versatile which I really like.

I really enjoy working with other local artisans, these brass handle details were brushed and lacquered by my good friend Ben at BL Fabrication

6. What’s something clients are often surprised to learn about the process when they work with you?

7. 
   

That apart from the obvious hardware like hinges and drawer runners, every component in a piece that’s manufactured here, is made by a real person, from raw materials, to the finished item, the vast majority of it has been worked on by hand at some stage, and that the decision that the component or piece is finished is made by how it feels and how it looks rather than by a machine when its reached the end of line.  

Personal perspective:

7. What influences your creativity or your style? 

I’m still learning about my creative process and what influences me, I’m not professionally trained as a designer or draughtsman so I’ve had to teach myself what I know up to this point. What I do know is, there’s always music playing at home or at the workshop, I haven’t stopped listening to music since I turned about 13. I know what I like when I see it, I don’t always know why but if I see a piece of furniture with a detail or material I like, I’ll try to tweak it, make it my own and integrate it into a design where I think it works. The creative process is tough!

Keelan in the Wiltshire based workshop where each and every project is crafted

8. What does a typical day look like for you, if there is such a thing?

   
   

A typical day… Anyone that runs a small business will know that it’s many spinning plates. One day it’s quotes and designs, then another it’s a full day of manufacture, the next its site surveys and client meetings.

9. What do you want people to feel when they see or live with something you’ve made?

   
   

Ultimately I want them to feel that they were understood, what ever problem they were facing, we listened, understood, designed accordingly to produce a functional piece of furniture that also speaks to their style.

 Final thoughts:

10. What do you think makes a great client-collaborator relationship?

As with any relationship, the ability to listen and communicate clearly is key. Sometimes you build a rapport with a client and subsequently the design process and build process is natural and the stars just seem to align, other times this isn’t the case and it takes work, the ability to listen to their preferences (regardless of your own personal taste) and then translate that into a functional design that looks and works great can be a challenge.

11. Is there a message you’d like to share with people considering a bespoke project especially if it’s their first time?

    
    

Approach your project with a long-term investment mindset. You’re investing in the quality in the result, not necessarily the time it takes to design or make the cabinet or wardrobe or what ever the piece may be.

12. What’s next for you or KB Joinery Co.? Any exciting projects or goals on the horizon?

We’re starting to focus on building some meaningful professional / strategic relationships with other professionals in the industry, I’d like to carry on working on that. We’re looking to get involved in the production of furniture lines for other designers as well as continuing to offer our bespoke commissions and building on that service.

An appreciation of all types of craftmanship - a handmade hammer, punched with my name. A truly treasured gift.