From design to finished piece, Dave and Ross chisel out future in furniture

IN a time of cutbacks, two Exmouth based men have launched a business in Budleigh Salterton, making bespoke handcrafted furniture.

New Zealander Dave Young met Ross Norgate at a school for furniture making. Both live in Exmouth and decided to join skills to open Young and Norgate, working out of South Farm, Budleigh Salterton.

“After recently setting up a full machine suite, as well as work bench facilities, in our workshop, which was formerly an old cider press, we have enjoyed a steady stream of interest,” said Dave, who comes from Wellington, New Zealand.

Young and Norgate does everything, from designing the piece to making it, using traditional techniques and work mostly in English hardwoods, such as oak and walnut, through to more exotic timbers, such as ebony and rosewood.

Dave said: “We are currently working on a cocktail cabinet for a client in London and a rosewood sculptural wall installation for a local Budleigh lady. We recently completed a commission for a watch collector in the USA to house 200 gold pocket watches.”

The craftsmen make bespoke furniture by hand, using traditional methods as well as using time honoured finishes, such as French polish, applied by hand.

“We don’t use computer software in our design process, preferring to draw everything out and we provide an artist’s impression so the client can visualise the piece.

“It is very much a dying craft and, yes, we live in a difficult economic climate, but we would like to think there are still people out there interested in quality furniture that will stand the test of time in terms of both quality and design,” Dave added.

He and Ross offer freestanding furniture, such as chairs, tables, desks, sideboards and shelving systems.