John Barnard established his workshop as a designer and furniture maker, in August 1971, following a career in engineering. His love of designing has put him amongst the countries top kitchen, office, and space designers, with a reputation for empathic solutions to client’s problems, strongly influenced by work done for Johnny Grey.

 

He designs and makes freestanding and fitted furniture in timbers, steel, granite, glass, resin and fabric, including kitchens for cooks and the handicapped, and bedrooms for lovers, many tables and chairs, and furniture for churches, universities, City and Town Halls, stately homes, plus offices for workaholics! In 1981 he designed and built a table for Prince Charles and Diana for their wedding (above).

 

John extended the family home significantly in 1975, and subsequently went on to design one and two storey extensions for clients, one of which was later purchased by an architect who loved both by the improvements, and the fine quality of workmanship executed by the builders; the Woodrow Brothers of Norwich.

 

His designs are influenced by nature, architecture, Engineering, Art Nouveau, the Arts & Crafts Movement, Nelson’s flagship Victory at Trafalgar whence he designed the table and chairs for the bi-centenary of his death using oak reclaimed by the Admiralty, Art Deco and the female form.

 

John is a Liveryman and Court Assistant of The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, and a Freeman of the City of London. His late wife, Jacqueline, was Company Secretary who held the whole business in superb working order and is sorely missed, but deeply appreciated... Our two sons are also in the furniture industry.

 

John Vianney Barnard.

IEng., MIET., WCFM.