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| My Cabinet Maker |
| Veneer is back in fashion and it has a whole new look. |
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For many, veneer evokes memories of childhood holidays at a cheap caravan park. But according to the My Cabinet Maker team of craftsmen, veneer is back in fashion and it has a whole new look.
The My Cabinet Maker furniture business was founded by James Salmond. While working as an apprentice chef, James discovered he had a taste for visual display rather than gourmet foods. He quickly changed professions, training as an apprentice cabinet maker, and in 1992 started his business.
James built his first piece of furniture when he was just nine years old. Today he chooses to concentrate on design and it's not just furniture that inspires him. James draws his ideas from many areas. At the moment he is inspired by Art Deco, Oriental, Art/Craft and German antiques.
My Cabinet Maker specialise in the creation of veneer furniture. Of course, they can't resist working with solid timber when presented with a beautiful or rare piece. James' furniture is made from a specialist material called High Moisture Resistant Particle Board (HMR). In the past, veneer was bonded to a porous board which absorbed water and caused it to buckle and lift off.
James considers veneer to be the best part of the timber. It is about 1mm thick (or thin) and can be used to create intricate patterns. The cutting and matching of veneer is as much a part of the design as the furniture piece itself. Diamonds, zig zags and layering of veneer all create interesting effects. To protect the furniture the My Cabinet Maker designs incorporate a solid timber edge along tops, sides and places that are likely to get knocked.
There are two common ways to produce veneer. The first is a rotary method where the blade hits the timber as it is turned and the finished product is a long expansive sheet of veneer. For smaller sheets, large timber pieces are shaved.
Veneer comes in a wide range of colours, from pale Aspen to black and tan Zebrano. A wide range of timbers is used, including Tasmanian Oak, Myrtle and Eucalyptus. James buys timbers from all over the world — USA, Africa and of course Australia — and he is always on the lookout for a rare find. Often he will only get two or three of the same pieces. This allows the My Cabinet Maker team to create limited edition furniture.
James sees furniture as a fashion industry so designs need to change to suit current trends. Veneer will probably always be a part of the My Cabinet Maker repertoire but new designs and styles will be incorporated in line with new fashions.
The My Cabinet Maker showroom in Surry Hills predominantly shows furniture designed by James. Within the next year, he expects to add pieces designed by his own cabinet makers to the collection. James says the business is a team effort and his motto is "People work with you not for you."
The My Cabinet Maker team sees the job through from start to finish. The cabinet makers hand-deliver their work to the client, ensuring it arrives at its new home safely. The craftsmen offer their clients advice on maintenance and display as part of the service. It also gives the cabinet makers a great deal of personal satisfaction to present their piece to its new owner.
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More Info
The My Cabinet Maker Showroom is located at:
CDA
513-515 South Dowling Street
Surry Hills NSW
Ph: 02 8353 3855
The My Cabinet Maker Workshop is located at:
9 Pattison Ave
Waitara NSW
Ph: 02 9489 7807
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Disclaimer
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