Before a single piece is made, we make choices. About where materials come from. About what they say. About whether they're worthy of becoming something that lasts. This is the story of what we look for—and why it matters.

We Search for the Right Wood

Not all timber is created equal. We seek out solid hardwoods with history. We look for boards that have character, that tell you where they came from. We pass on anything that feels anonymous or mass-produced. When we find the right piece of wood, we know it. It has weight, presence, a future.

We're Particular About Fabric

A fabric has to earn its place. We look for textiles that feel substantial in the hand—linen with body, wool that's tightly woven, materials that improve with age rather than fade away. We visit mills, we request samples, we test how they wear. We choose fabrics we'd want in our own homes, the kind that make you want to reach out and touch them. Quality isn't something you can fake.

We Seek Out What's Already Proven Itself

Sometimes the best materials are the ones that have already lived a life. We look for pieces with history—furniture that's survived decades, techniques that have stood the test of time, details that modern manufacturing has forgotten. When we find something worth preserving, we study it. We learn from it. We choose to honour what made it last in the first place.

We Consider Where It All Comes From

Every material has a footprint. So we ask questions: Where was this grown? How was it harvested? Will it endure, or will it need replacing in a few years? We choose suppliers who share our values, materials that are responsibly sourced, and designs that won't end up in landfill. Sustainability is about choosing things that matter—and choosing them carefully.

We Look for Metal With Integrity

Iron and steel aren't afterthoughts—they're essential. We seek out metals that feel solid, that can be shaped and finished by hand, that bring both strength and beauty to a design. We look for the kind of metalwork that adds character, not decoration. When we find the right supplier, the right finish, the right weight, we know we've found something that will hold up—literally and figuratively.

These are the choices we make before anything is ever built. Because great furniture starts long before the workshop—it starts with knowing what to look for.