The World-Renowned Furniture School On Our Doorstep
Chippendale School of Furniture
We sat down with Tom and Sarah Fraser, the couple that run the world-renowned furniture design school and furniture making school based in Gifford, to learn what goes on there and what they have coming up.
Tell us about the Chippendale School of Furniture and how it started
The Chippendale School has a rich history rooted in the passion for fine furniture making. Founded in 1985 by Tom’s father, Anselm Fraser, the school began its journey in the humble surroundings of a family garage near East Linton. Over the years, our focus has evolved, transitioning from antique furniture restoration to encompassing a comprehensive curriculum that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques.
Now situated in the picturesque locale of Gifford for the past 30 years, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of courses catering to students from all corners of the globe. Our mission is to uphold the legacy of fine furniture making, nurturing talent, and playing a key role in East Lothian’s burgeoning creative community.
Tom and Sarah, you took over the school five years ago, what are you most proud of achieving in that time?
On taking over the school as a husband-and-wife team in October 2019, we faced unprecedented challenges… Covid was a huge disruption, however, we stayed strong and have managed to steer the school towards remarkable growth and innovation.
From refurbishing our main workshop to establishing a dedicated short course workshop, and expanding our course offering, our commitment to progress has never wavered. We take immense pride in these accomplishments and in having supported the dreams of so many individuals who have come to pursue their passion for woodworking in our small but perfectly formed corner of East Lothian.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our talented team of tutors, whose passion for the craft inspires us every day.
There are quite a variety of courses available, can you talk us through them?
At the Chippendale School, we offer a comprehensive range of courses to suit varying skill levels and interests. Our flagship 30-week Professional course is designed for aspiring fine furniture makers seeking to pursue a career in the industry, either setting up their own business or working in another workshop. It also caters to those who wish to learn a professional skill in retirement.
For beginners and hobbyists, our weekend and week-long courses provide the perfect opportunity to explore the fundamentals of woodworking in a supportive environment. From woodturning and spoon carving to upholstery and restoration, our specialist courses cater to a diverse range of interests.
We also offer advanced programmes such as our 4-week intermediate course, which provides personalised instruction and mentorship to students looking to further refine their skills.
Our newest addition, the 10-week course, offers a holistic approach to woodworking, allowing enthusiasts to delve into a myriad of techniques and projects. Whatever your passion may be, there's truly a course for everyone at the Chippendale School.
Tell us something about the school that we didn’t know
There are two ways in which customers can commission bespoke furniture from our graduates. Firstly, they can contact the school directly to set out what they are looking for. The school will then direct to a maker best suited to the job, based at our on-site ‘Myreside Studios.’
Secondly, they can visit the Fine Furniture Guild website (direct web link on the Chippendale website) which is a directory of Chippendale School graduates who have recently set up their own businesses. By supporting our graduates, customers not only invest in exceptional craftsmanship but also contribute to the legacy of the Chippendale School.
What’s next for the school?
We are currently gearing up for our big Graduate Exhibition & Fine Furniture Sale which is open to the public from the 13th – 15th June 2024. This annual event is a celebration of all the hard work and creativity of this year’s Professional course students over the past 9 months. All furniture and objects on show have been designed and made by the 30 students who have come from around the world to hone their skills at Chippendale.
For the first time, during the show will be topping up energy levels with pop-up brewsters Steampunk Coffee from North Berwick and Pizza Geeks from Edinburgh who will be serving delicious coffees, cakes and pizza.
To register for your FREE ticket, please do so via Eventbrite using this link. Come and admire some extraordinary furniture and perhaps walk away with a treasured heirloom to enjoy for years to come.
For more information on the school click here.
