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Members Focus: Richard Williams
Richard Williams, bespoke furniture maker, is celebrating 25 years of being a member of The Furniture Makers’ Company. Here he tells us why it is important to him.
Status: Liveryman and Bespoke Guild Mark chairman
What was your first job connected to the furnishings sector?
I graduated in 1989, and the external assessor on my course at the time was Martin Grierson. We got on well and he offered me a position as a cabinetmaker in his workshop – an opportunity I was never going to refuse! Martin was at the peak of his career at the time and I was involved in some wonderful projects with him.
When did you first get involved with The Furniture Makers’ Company?
A cabinet that I made at college as my final piece was spotted at my graduation exhibition by a livery member. It was suggested that I put it forward for a Guild Mark which I did, and it was successful. A few years later I was commissioned by the Furniture Makers to design and make a piece to celebrate its connection with the 5th (volunteer) battalion Royal Green Jackets. Around that time, Martin Grierson proposed me as a liveryman and I was delighted to join.
Who is your design hero?
The more ill-conceived and poorly designed furniture I am asked to make by interior designers these days, the more I love and admire the careful, calm and restrained beauty of the work of James Krenov.
What do you see as the benefits of being involved in The Furniture Makers’ Company?
Being involved with the Company gives a great sense of ‘giving back’ which is, after all, at the core of its ethos. Not only that, it is a great opportunity to mix and blend with others from all areas of the industry. I often also feel like I can be a ‘voice’ for all the highly talented and skilled but often introspective and humble bespoke furniture craftsmen out there who are quietly producing amazing work.
What is your favourite thing about the furnishings sector?
I enjoy the impact that technology has had on furniture design in recent years, opening up incredible opportunities for designers to exploit and leading to an explosion of creativity.
What is your favourite event in the Company year?
‘Inspired’ – an annual exhibition at The Goldsmith’s Centre, co-organised by The Furniture Maker’s Company – is the bespoke furniture making fraternity’s annual opportunity to show what it can do. The quality of the work shown each year is phenomenal and should be witnessed by all. Makers can only participate if they are Guild Mark holders, so the bar is set extremely high. This year’s event takes place from 3-6 May and I encourage you all to attend! I also really enjoy the Young Furniture Maker’s exhibition at the Hall.