Who We Are: Our People
Paul Vane completed his apprenticeship in a traditional cabinet workshop in Brighton UK where he learned the time-honoured skills of dovetailing, hand-planing and French polishing. He has since spent over 30 years working as a fine furniture maker in the UK, Sydney and now the Blue Mountains. Arriving in Australia in his 20’s, Paul became fascinated with Australia’s furniture design history and 20th Century design. He is the go-to restorer for mid-century Australian classics by designers such as Grant Featherston, Douglas Snelling, Gordon Andrews, and Roger McClay as well international designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner.
Talulah Vane’s background is in fine arts and design. She brings her expertise to the upholstery, specialist finishing and design services offered at MAKE Furniture.
Paul and Talulah have worked together as MAKE Furniture for over ten years.
What We Do: Our Principles
At MAKE Furniture we believe it’s best to buy well and buy once. Investing in real furniture made by a craftsperson using quality materials and quality processes has both ecological and practical benefits. It is deeply satisfying to live with furniture that gives years of seamless use and aesthetic pleasure. Quality furniture lasts a lifetime and beyond.
At the core of our design principles is a respect for the innate integrity of the materials we use and a belief that life is enriched by good design.
We use premium materials and processes to suit each project. In our fully equipped workshop we create furniture from sustainably produced, local timbers wherever possible, plywood, metal and textiles to our client’s specifications. Our finishing services include lacquer, polyurethane and French polishing.
We offer an extensive restoration and repair service from antique to contemporary furniture and objects. We work with a diverse array of materials and with the original processes and materials wherever possible.