Richard Coles
Richard Coles Fine Furniture
My design philosophy is inspired by natural forms and allowing the inherent beauty of the wood to be showcased in the structure.
Richard’s formal career began as an apprentice cabinet maker back in the early 1980s. He studied Wood and Design at the Canberra School of Art (ANU), then took up residency making individual pieces of furniture for exhibition at Melbourne’s Metro Craft Centre. This experience spring-boarded his establishment of the Coles School of Wood (now Melbourne School of Fine Woodworking). He also went on to found the Met Galleries in Toowoomba as an artist collective.
After over 40 years of making, Richard has never lost his passion or enthusiasm for the design and making process. He admires the Japanese and Scandinavian simplicity of form and understated precision. He continues to draw inspiration from organic shape and thrives on transforming rough sketches into works of art and functional furniture.
Richard now resides and works on a semi rural ‘unruly’ acre in Terranora, NSW designing and making bespoke commissioned and exhibition pieces. He continues to teach people who want to develop traditional woodworking skills and collaborates with other artists.
His pieces showcase outstanding Australian veneers and solid timber.