The workshop
A bench, a rack of boards, and the road outside.
England-based designer-maker Joseph Sheppard specialises in carpentry and bespoke joinery. We handcraft beautiful custom floating shelves, fitted furniture and fine woodwork using traditional joints and responsibly sourced materials.
How a piece is made
- 01
Timber
English oak, mahogany and ash. Boards are kiln-dried, graded, sanded and finished in satin varnish until the paintwork around them is as clean as the timber.
- 02
Joints
Mortise and tenon, dovetails, through-wedges. Glue where it belongs; no cam locks, no chipboard boxes dressed as furniture.
- 03
Finish
Clear satin varnish on oak, mahogany and ash. Eggshell paint on doors and walls. Grain stays visible, the surface wipes clean.
Oak, mahogany and ash.
English oak, mahogany and ash, kiln-dried, sanded and finished in satin varnish. Paintwork around the joinery is eggshell-smooth. The grain stays; the surface wipes clean.
We also teach. The Saturday joinery taster is a short, serious morning with hand tools, not a party. One or two people, a small oak shelf, tea in the enamel pot.
Book a taster or a visitFind us
Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, England, BS1 2NT. The workshop is a working space — please book before you come, so we are not in the middle of a glue-up.
- Hours
- Tuesday–Friday 9:00–17:30 · Saturday 9:00–13:00 · by appointment
- Telephone
- 07861 923069