Made to commission

Walnut &
Granite Bench

Two materials, each shaping the other.

The complete walnut bench held between three pieces of Wicklow granite

An angled view along the walnut slab and its three granite supports

The notched walnut slab fitted into a granite support

The curved walnut slab seen from one end between the granite stones

The granite and walnut bench beside a window in a planted interior

The walnut bench and granite supports viewed along the window

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A walnut slab rests between three pieces of Wicklow granite, with each connection shaped to fit the stone.

Materials: Solid walnut from Drogheda, Co. Louth, and Wicklow granite
Shown dimensions: 2.2m wide × 0.4m deep × 0.3m high
Commission price: €3,500 including VAT
Availability: The photographed piece is a reference for a new commission.

A new bench will vary with the slab and stones selected. Dimensions, timing and delivery are agreed before work begins.

Discuss a bench commission

Made in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.

The making

01 · The materials

Walnut and Wicklow granite.

The walnut slabs came from Townley Hall in Drogheda. A board was selected from the stack and flattened on the CNC machine.

Wicklow granite was chosen alongside it. The character of both materials would guide the bench.

A stack of walnut slabs in the workshop — Choosing walnut from the stack.

Granite stones beside an old stone wall — Looking for the right stones.

02 · Setting out

Letting the stones set the height.

The stones were cleaned and set out with the walnut, trying their orientation and seeing how they would work together.

The two end stones were about as heavy as I could lift, so they dictated the height of the bench. Their bases were flattened, with a thin pad placed underneath.

A granite stone on the workbench during cleaning — Cleaning the granite.

The walnut board resting across two granite stones during setting out — Finding the height and stance.

03 · The joint

Cutting into both materials.

Test notches came first. The stones were then cut at the same height to receive the walnut slab.

A template transferred the form of each stone to the wood, so the walnut could be cut to fit in turn.

A granite stone with a broad notch cut into its top — Cutting a seat for the walnut.

A wooden template resting on a granite stone to mark the joint — Templating the meeting of stone and wood.

04 · The final form

Shaping one around the other.

With the joints cut and the materials brought together, the walnut was shaped to follow the form of the granite. Both materials informed the overall shape and height of the piece.

A third stone was added for stability. The wood was finished in Rubio Monocoat, bringing out the walnut’s grain.

The walnut being shaped to follow the edges of its granite support — Following the form of the stone.

The shaped walnut meeting the granite in the assembled bench before finishing — The final shape, before oiling.

Commission a bench.

A new bench will have its own form, shaped around the walnut, the stones and where it will live. Dimensions, timing and delivery are agreed before work begins.

Discuss a commission

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