Tom Kealy Furniture Maker

Welcome to our website. We are a furniture design, making, and tutoring business based in Somerset, England. Our journey began in 1979 when our founder, Tom, completed his training at Parnham College. Since then, we have been creating bespoke furniture to commission for individual clients.

Over the years, we have also worked with various designers such as Wales & Wales and Illingworth & Partridge. A significant part of our history was spent working at the John Makepeace Workshops at Parnham House, where we developed new techniques and skills while working on a wide variety of designs. This period also allowed us to collaborate with skilled craftsmen from other disciplines, including the clock maker Julius Schoonhoven. Together, we made contemporary longcase clocks, such as 'Grace', with handmade movements in brass.

Our work has been recognized by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, who have awarded us Guild Mark awards for pieces such as 'Grace', our 'Somerset Chair', and a display cabinet made for the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers. You can view these pieces and other work that we have made in the Gallery of Tom's Work.

Today, we primarily focus on teaching, using our skills and experience to help students develop their knowledge and love of working with wood. We run weekly furniture making classes from our workshop in Somerset, as well as short courses from West Dean College in West Sussex. We are also a regular visiting instructor at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine, USA.

Our short courses include 'Furniture Making for Beginners - A Side Table' and 'Making Simple Furniture for Complete Beginners - A Small Bench/Stool'. These courses are designed for beginners who wish to acquire the skills to work with hardwoods and make their own furniture. We provide step-by-step guidance and demonstrations, teaching essential skills such as using hand planes, chisels, and other essential tools. Suitable timber is supplied at cost, and all essential tools are provided by the college.

Our weekly classes are tailor-made to meet the individual requirements of each student, whether they are enthusiastic beginners or more experienced woodworkers. Many of our students started out as complete beginners but are now able to design and make accomplished pieces. You can see some of the furniture made by our students in the Gallery of Student's Work.

We are passionate about teaching and sharing our knowledge with others. Our aim is to inspire and guide students as they learn the art of furniture making, ensuring they gain the skills and confidence needed to create their own beautiful pieces.