Kelp I Drinks Cabinet

This wall-mounted drinks cabinet began as an exploration of form and material - a meeting point between fine woodworking and a medium I had only recently begun to work with: Jesmonite. I love how different surfaces and textures catch light and invite touch, as well as how different materials can complement one another in a single piece. Here, the cool, sculptural presence of the Jesmonite art is set against the darkened grain of the wood, which serves to frame the artwork. The result is a work that holds both purpose and presence - a functional object that could just as easily be read as sculpture.

The inspiration for the carved Jesmonite front came from the recurring patterns and forms so often found in nature - from the flowing movement of kelp forests to the rippling contours of sand dunes, the shifting ridges left behind as the tide retreats, and the strange, weather-sculpted surfaces of rock formations. Light was always central to the vision. Nothing is more beautiful and mesmerising than the interplay of light on a textured surface. In this instance the cabinet is designed with side lighting in mind, intended for a moody, low-lit, modern interior - think gallery or exhibition space - where the interplay of light and shadow could truly be appreciated.

For the materials, I chose to colour the Jesmonite a clean, bright white, contrasting it against a black-stained oak frame. This deliberate pairing draws the viewer’s eye to the flowing carved surface, where light grazes the surface and shadows pool in the recesses. The cabinet doors open with a set of special synchronous runners linked by discreet cables, so pulling one door smoothly opens the other. Inside, the sycamore interior shelving was laminated and set into the back panel for strength, perfectly aligned to the door openings, and finished with a clear wax to preserve its pale, natural tone and create a beautifully tactile feel.

The making process was as intricate as the design itself. The carving required painstaking attention to detail, and assembling the cabinet involved precise technical drawings to accommodate the unique runners and its secure wall mounting. To my knowledge, using Jesmonite for functional cabinet doors in this way is still highly unusual, if not entirely unique, making it a quietly innovative addition to my portfolio of custom made furniture.

Functionally, the piece is designed to hold a select few bottles and glasses - the essentials for an intimate gathering. It’s the sort of statement object I like to imagine hanging on the wall of Logan Roy’s office: a sleek, understated presence that conceals its purpose until revealed. It exists equally as wall art for a living room and as a finely made drinks cabinet, blurring the line between sculpture and storage.

This project reflects my ongoing approach as a bespoke furniture maker - using natural inspiration, precise craftsmanship, and a considered selection of materials to create statement pieces that invite closer inspection. Whether designing a bespoke walnut desk, a personalised record player stand, or a striking one-off drinks cabinet like this one, I aim to make work that is both visually compelling and deeply personal, blending art and function into something truly individual.