Cecil, who trained at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University, started Paperwark furniture in 2005. Based in Shetland he specialises in designing and manufacturing furniture from hardwoods and veneers. 

Most of his inspiration comes from the culture and natural surroundings in Shetland.  He recently created a boardroom table and chairs for Lerwick Port Authority inspired by the shape of the keel and ribs of a boat and is now designing a reception desk for visitshetland inspired by the shape of a traditional Peat stack.

He uses traditional furniture making techniques, however some of his contemporary pieces involve innovative use of these techniques to create the required complex design shapes.

Using original designs he also makes Shetland chairs. The tradition of making chairs in Shetland dates back centuries, with a distinctive style emerging amongst the islands craftsmen during the 1800s. 

With virtually no trees on Shetland the resourceful chair makers had to make do with driftwood and bank’s wid and recycled wood to make their chairs. Generally comprising of a rectangular section timber frame with panelled back and seat with simple moulded details, chairs were handed down through the generations with many old and cherished examples remaining to this day.

Low seated, the chairs were particularly suited to the small, thatched croft houses of the day, holding sitters close to the ground to ease their work on kishie (basket) making and other tasks with materials near at hand on the floor.  The arm supports on the woman’s chair are further back so there is more space for knitting needles and yarn.  

Contact Cecil