Tim Germain

I am an artist-craftsman in that I strive to produce practical furniture that is, at the same time, beautiful to behold.  In terms of materials and methods, I am no Luddite and am happy to use the modern alternative where it offers an advantage over the traditional.  Thus for me it feels right to use dovetails when making drawers as it is the strongest, most durable method I have come across for jointing the drawer box together…… but I then use veneered board for the drawer bottom as it can be glued in place, unlike a solid one, thus making the whole drawer stronger (and it will never split!)

As for my designs, I pick up inspiration anywhere and everywhere- from buildings I walk past, furniture I bump into, books I devour, landscapes I stroll through, the locally felled English hardwoods I love to use- and merely attempt to make sure my work is original and to my liking.  Everything I make is to commission and so also incorporates a bit of the customer which is an important factor in the continuing development of my work.

I am a long-standing member of the Suffolk Craft Society and you may well be able to see my work at their summer exhibition in Aldeburgh or year round at their Gallery 2 in Ipswich Town Hall.