Mark of the Maker
Paul Vane has an eye for detail, as we sit and chat in his Lawson workshop, we are surrounded by the various elements of his work. Exquisite samples for clients sit beside iconic Australian chairs in various states of refurbishment while the tools of Paul’s trade are artlessly arranged around the room.
I first met Paul a few years ago but have known of his work as Make Furniture for much longer and I have to say I was hugely impressed by the calibre of his work. He is adept at working across a range of styles from Victorian to Bauhaus and beyond, and his original pieces are examples of a man at the top of his craft.
Craft Control & Influences
Even with this deep understanding of his craft, Paul is far from intimidating – this English expat is one of the most approachable and enthusiastic practitioners I’ve met. With over 30 years in the profession there is not much he doesn’t know. I’m interested to find out how his practice works, Paul speaks quickly, “Communication with the client is the most important aspect of the design process, listening and understand what the client wants, and actually needs, is key. He pauses for a sip of tea, “the beauty of the way I work is that I control everything from design to materials to finishing so when I deliver a job the level of communication ensures we are on the same page.”
I ask Paul about influences, a subject that I’m always interested to explore with designers and makers, “I’m basically a modernist,” he says, “but my background is traditional and I like to open myself up to the historical range of influences – when you limit yourself to one style you risk being pigeonholed. I love the proportions of Georgian architecture. I’m also interested in the reaction of following generations to the styles of the preceding. These generational frictions give us new methods of design, throw in waves of industrialisation and you have the ever increasing impact of design on society as a whole.”
Iconic designs by Featherston
As a specialist in iconic Australian chairs I’m eager to find out more from Paul about this country’s contribution to furniture design. Chair design exploded in the mid century and was centred in Europe and the US, but in the post war period Australian makers like Grant Featherston and Douglas Snelling began to produce modernist, curved plywood seating for the burgeoning local market.
The self taught Featherston began working out of his shed and Paul has a special affection for his work, “They might not be world renowned but it’s inspirational that they were made at a time when Australia was really on the edge of the map and materials were scarce – these were our interpretations of Modernism. Every now and then one pops up that you’ve never seen before and that is really exciting. I recently restored a very early one that Featherson made himself, from the period before he licensed them, if anything it was slightly rough but it was exhilarating because you could imagine him in the shed with limited tools making what was essentially this quite naïve prototype.”
He continues, “I love to hear the story behind the chair – I often ask the client where they got it from, I mentioned to a lady that her chair had a definite tilt to one side and she said her and her siblings were all breast fed from it. That is special and really tells the personal story of the piece.”
Paul and I could talk all day, and we often do, but before I go I ask about the reasons for his move to the mountains and what makes it special for him. “Look, certainly there was a need for space and beautiful surroundings. We found a house by an architect that we really appreciated and suited our aesthetic and that made it an easy choice. Like many we were being priced out of the city and wanted a better lifestyle – we have certainly found that up here.”
Who could disagree?
See more of Paul’s work at www.makefurniture.com.au
Words by Chris Byrne, images by Camille Walsh
I was very interested to read your chat with Paul as he is my brother-in-law. I have always appreciated his work as he is somewhat of a perfectionist!
Now I have the link to your magazine I will look each week. Keep up the good work and hope fully we will come back to Oz for another holiday.