Phil Shipley

Chairmaker

- Handmade bespoke chairs from Gloucestershire -

I design and make 'country' chairs to exhibition standard using seasoned Ash and Elm. My chairs are mainly constructed from seasoned timber.  Country chairs (not to be confused with rustic) are those that have predominantly rounded parts.

My chairs are influenced by Ercol Windsor Style Chairs especially their shape and construction.  Other styles that I admire are the Welsh 'stick' chairs, Shaker style chairs and traditional English ladderbacks.

This website shows some examples of my work. 

Apart from making chairs by hand, I also occasionally teach chairmaking on courses.  Most, but not all, students attending these make Ladderback chairs.  Visit the 'courses' page on this website to find more detailed information and examples of students' work.

My own work, in the last four/five years, is centred around the Windsor/Welsh 'stick' style chair.  My two latest designs are called Cotswold 'stick' chairs.   There are three versions, at the moment, most made with seasoned Ash with Elm for the seat, comb and arms. 

All chairs are handmade by myself to the highest standard possible.  I use an oil based finish which really brings out the rich beauty of the Elm and Ash. For those people who love wood - you will hopefully really appreciate what I have done with these chairs.