Jim Tory Furniture

I design and hand make unique, contemporary furniture using my own stunning local hard woods. In 2012 I founded Jim Tory Furniture, setting up my own workshop in a old stone dairy just outside Dorchester, Dorset where I was born and bred. For the 7 years prior to this I had the pleasure of working with the acclaimed Norwegian designer –maker Petter Southall at his Itre studio (link) near Bridport. After completing an apprenticeship I worked as a cabinet maker creating his inspirational and technically challenging steam bent furniture. I not only honed my skills and gained invaluable experience but developed a deep understanding of wood itself and the seemingly limitless ways it can be put together to create beautiful furniture for every-day use. Prior to this I trained in fine furniture making with master craftsman Chris Faulkner (link) at his Ashridge workshop in rural Devon. Here I gained a firm grounding in core traditional cabinet making skills and the uncompromising standards that are needed to succeed at our craft. I have been seasoning my own Hard-woods for the past 5 years, all the trees having fallen within 10 miles of the workshop and if nature allows this is how I intend to continue sourcing my timber.