About us
Williams & Cleal was created by Jane Cleal and Justin Williams to share their passion and enthusiasm for quality craftsmanship, beautiful functional design and accessible teaching. Since 2007 Williams & Cleal have been delivering professional fine woodworking and furniture design and making courses to all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. The workshop is located on a farm in the heart of beautiful West Somerset with stunning views across the Quantock Hills.
A drive for excellence in creativity and making is always at the start of all our students’ journeys but we also offer so much more.
You might be looking for a more accessible and cost effective alternative to a three year university degree or college course? Perhaps you’ve been considering a career change, wanting to spend more time creating and making objects with your own hands? Our fine woodworking and fine furniture design and making courses will fast track your acquisition of design and furniture making skills, so that you can be back in employment or starting your own business as soon as possible.
You may be an experienced maker, but would like guidance in nurturing and developing your design skills or a specific process?
Or… maybe you have seen a beautiful piece of furniture and felt inspired to gain the skills to make something similar?
Students come to us with varying levels of skills, from complete beginners, to those with medium and advanced abilities. We teach every individual according to their needs. Our tutors can tailor a learning experience to best fit your interests, and aspirations.
We pride ourselves on our friendly and supportive learning environment. We ensure the best quality teaching experience, giving individual attention from all our tutors. With a lot of enthusiasm and humour in the workshop, we can also guarantee that learning with us will be a creative and rewarding experience.
“Design should transcend personalities, styles and fashion and become a product of its age. Timeless in the appreciation that it generates. It should become a work of art without that being the aim of the creator.”
ALAN PETERS OBE
The journey started over 30 years ago
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Partners Justin and Jane met and studied furniture at Buckinghamshire College in High Wycombe, the historical capital of the industry. From there Jane apprenticed for Alan Peters OBE and Justin worked for a fine furniture maker in the New Forest. Alan Peters is often described as The Makers’ maker had direct links to the Arts and Crafts Movement, having apprenticed with Edward Barnsley. He is also widely seen as an exponent of the seventies craft revival.
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Having gained invaluable experience in leading workshops, Jane and Justin subsequently realised their shared ambition by launching their own designer/maker business in April 1990.
They have developed an exceptional reputation within the industry. They have been published in numerous articles and awarded many accolades including 'Bespoke Guild Marks' from the Furniture Makers Company and the coveted ‘Claxton Stephens Prize’ for the best of year Guild Mark. They have undertaken commissions internationally, working predominately with private individuals, as well as interior designers and architects. In 2007 they set up their thriving furniture school.
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Consistent with the Arts and Crafts philosophy they have a passion for finely hand crafted furniture understanding the sensitive relationship between design, material selection and their craft. Acute attention is given to design, and for Jane, function is a responsibility, from which beautiful form should emerge as a quiet companion. “I seek to achieve inherent simplicity, elegance and enduring furniture, by using unelaborated decoration and sensitivity to proportions".
As a maker and perfectionist, partner Justin Williams and his small team expect and achieve a consummate level of quality in the production of their work, utilising both traditional hand skills and modern techniques including digital technology.
In equal measures, they value craftsmanship, sympathetic design, material selection and the enjoyment that their craft continues to bring both them and their client.
Interested in learning more about our fine furniture commissions?
ONE YEAR FINE FURNITURE DESIGNER MAKER COURSE
Take your skills to the next level
An ideal course to master fine woodworking and furniture design and making techniques. Develop your existing skills for personal use and learn from our expert tutors how to start your own business.