Richard Catchweasel can certainly see the wood for the trees. Using traditional cabinet-making techniques and UK native solid timbers, he designs and manufactures beautifully crafted handmade furniture. Through his eponymous British-based company, Richard creates one-of-kind pieces like chairs, end tables, cabinets and more in his distinct self-described modern English folk style. And thanks to a collaboration with a Kent-based tree surgeon, most of the lumber he uses comes from within a 30-mile radius of his South London workshop. Richard carefully chooses the most engaging pieces of timber to bring warmth and character to all of his custom work. Each of his creations are quirky and charming, just like his 10 ANSWERS below.
1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Honest, strange and accidental.
2. Who is your creative role model?
I don’t think it’s a furniture maker or designer. It’d be the mongrel offspring of a 1960s Michael Caine and the director Terry Gilliam, mixed with a bit of unknown Mediaeval craftsman.
3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
I’d spend more time riding my push bike downhill at high speed.
4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
There is one village (well, two houses) at the end of a blind valley in the middle of Wales. The place is called Penant Mellangell and there’s a tiny ancient church, which is a shrine to Saint Mellangell. She was a 7th Century hermit who sheltered a hare under here cloak from a passing hunting party. She’s the patron saint of hares – for what it’s worth. I’m an atheist, but there’s an undoubted sense of tranquility there. The place is full of very tame ‘wild’ animals. When I first visited the place, about twenty years ago, the church was nearly derelict, but about ten years ago it was renovated. It needed doing but there’s now a ‘spiritual centre’ there too full of dreamy spiritual types. It’s not what it was but it’s still a beautiful place if you can try and tune them out.
5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
It’s tempting to say something glamorous, but I think I’d like to try doing the other job I’d really like to do – which is welding bicycle frames. I’d really like to do it, but I know what I’m like and if I got into it I don’t think I’d ever finish a piece of furniture again.
6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
I make good pies, filled with fish that I cure at home using woodshaving from my workshop. Do pies count? Otherwise I’ve made some of my Paperhounds for people as presents.
7. What is your favorite object in your home?
It’s a close run thing between my wife and my bicycle. My wife.
8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Hmmm. I think it’s probably ‘always tell the truth’. Boring, but for me a clear conscience is the way forward.
9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
I don’t really use them – unless a client wants me to copy something. AAAAaaaah. I’m not meant to say that am I? See above.
10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When I did my cabinet making training, my very smart tutor, emphasised the importance of our work being ‘good enough’. I think quite a lot of furniture makers are perfectionists, but there is a point when you have to stop and say that’s it – time to deliver it to the client.
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