Spotlight on Murano

September 17, 2019

‘to manipulate the grain of the wood as an artist would
manipulate paint with a brush’.

Edward Johnson working on the Murano Cento dining table in the workshop.

Edward’s designs are often conceptually based, but with form and function always at the fore. He perceives both beauty and usefulness in equal parts when designing and developing his ideas into thought-provoking, fluid and tactile forms. One of his principal aims is to challenge our understanding of what is possible, which he achieves through creative aptitude and his mastered ability to engineer in wood.

Here we throw the spotlight onto his Murano technique.

Samples of our Murano veneers in: oak, olive ash and ash: fumed oak and brown oak; ash and olive ash: oak, brown oak and fumed oak; elm and fumed oak; walnut and fumed oak. — *Samples of our Murano veneers in: oak, olive ash and ash; fumed oak and brown oak; ash and olive ash; oak, brown oak and fumed oak; elm and fumed oak; walnut and fumed oak.*

Murano Collection

The Murano Collection was originally inspired by a visit to the island of Murano, where Venetian master craftsmen have been producing glassware for centuries, by floating layers of different coloured glass through one another to produce exquisite patterns.

Our Murano veneers have been developed and perfected in our workshop and are all made in-house. They have been adapted to form wavy, radial and straight designs. Each veneer uses contrasting timbers to add texture or to create a blended effect. The various patterns result in carefully matched sweeping lines and curves that engulf the entire surface of the furniture.

This collection again stems from Edward’s interest and expertise in laminating. This time his aim was to develop an organic free-flowing form reminiscent of Venetian glass. To create this effect, hundreds of thin strips of wood are cut in the workshop and reconfigured, resulting in sweeping lines and curves bringing soft and organic patterns to the angular forms.

The Murano veneers can be constructed in a wide range and combination of timbers and applied to almost any of our designs.

Read more about Edward’s ‘Family Tree’ concept that adds an extra dimension and personalises our Murano commissions.

‘Radiant’ chest of drawers

The Radiant chest of drawers is made from fumed oak, brown oak, oak, olive ash and ash.
Dimensions: 110cm (w) x 85cm (h) x 42cm (d).

‘Radiant’ desk

A view showing the sculptural legs and underside of the fumed oak and brown oak desk. — Desk – Fumed & Brown Oak

The Radiant desk is made from fumed oak and brown oak.
Dimensions: 198cm (w) x 75cm (h) x 75cm (d).

The Radiant desk was awarded a prestigious Bespoke Guild Mark in 2019 (Guild Mark No. 475).

‘Family Tree’ heirloom box

Elm and fumed oak 'family tree' bespoke heirloom box with top tray open.

The Family Tree heirloom box shown in elm and fumed oak.
Dimensions: 38cm (w) x 15cm (h) x 23.5cm (d).

‘Squaring the Circle’ jewellery box

Squaring the Circle bespoke limited-edition elm jewellery box

The Squaring the Circle jewellery box is made from elm and maple.
Dimensions: 18cm (w) x 19cm (h) x 18cm (d).

‘Patchwork’ sewing desk

A front elevation view of the sewing desk.

The Patchwork sewing desk is made from oak, brown oak and fumed oak.
Dimensions: 170cm – extending to 230cm (w) x 78cm (h) x 65cm – extending to 130cm (d).
Read more here.

‘Murano’ sideboard

The Murano sideboard is made from ash, olive ash, fumed oak and brown oak.
Dimensions: 186cm (w) x 116 (h) x 48cm (d).
Read more here.

‘Centrum I’ chest of drawers

Front view of Centrum chest of drawers. Showing our curved Murano veneers in walnut radiating out from a central oak core.

The Centrum chest of drawers is made from walnut with an oak starburst and oak interior.
Dimensions: 65cm (w) x 59cm (h) x 47cm (d).

‘Centrum II’ chest

Front view of Centrum chest with our curved veneers shown with the top open showing the cedar interior and our silver maker's mark.

The Centrum II chest is made from oak, brown oak, scorched oak and cedar.
Dimensions: 180cm (w) x 57.5cm (h) x 50cm (d).

‘Murano Cento’ dining table

Table shown fully extended in a dining room setting.

The Murano Cento extending dining table is made from walnut with brushed brass effect legs.
Dimensions: 75cm (h) x 110cm (d) x 240cm extending to 410cm (l).

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