Interiors should not be the product of ephemeral style trends, but of a client’s own personality and preference. Studio Clementine takes a collaborative approach, both between client and studio, and in terms of the many specialist skills and suppliers our designers bring to a project. We pride ourselves on listening to what people want and then surpassing expectations both creatively and in delivering a seamless, personal service.
THE CRAFT OF JOINERY
Seamers Specialist Joinery and Studio Clementine
A Conversation with Richard by Georgina Wood
Georgina Wood and Richard Latham, Managing Director of Seamers Specialist Joinery, sat down to discuss what they love about joinery and what makes Seamers one of Studio Clementine's favourite craftspeople to work with.
My love of timber and joinery began when I was a young girl. My grandparents were timber merchants, and my Dad owned a successful joinery shop until he retired. When designing joinery, I will always look back at the great furniture designers such as Ruhlmann and take inspiration from their details and carry these through into my designs.
Studio Clementine prides itself on the uniqueness, functionality and aesthetic of our joinery designs and as such values Seamers as a trusted partner. Georgina and Richard sat down to discuss what they love about all things joinery and what makes Seamers so incredible.
Seamers is a family joinery business established in 1875 by Mr John Seamer with the primary objective of offering their customers an excellent service and an end product manufactured to the highest possible standards.
DO YOU HAVE AN ALL-TIME FAVOURITE PROJECT THAT SEAMERS HAVE WORKED ON?
One of our most recent projects was the APPARATUS lighting store on Mount Street in Mayfair. It was an incredible journey, which was sometimes difficult, but it had wonderful, intricate details, and the end result was simply stunning.
The wall panelling that led down the full staircase into the lower ground floor, we crafted with American burr walnut, and it looks phenomenal. Every time I go in, it just takes my breath away, it's amazing!
Prior to this project, I think the one that I enjoyed equally as much, if not more, was a project in St James, a two-storey apartment. We crafted rosewood doors and some beautiful joinery for the bedrooms, bathrooms, and the ballroom. That was another incredible journey, the designer worked with us and the main contractor to ensure that it was delivered to the client in a very short time frame. Everybody on that project was extremely professional, very knowledgeable, and a delight to work with, which made the project enjoyable and a special journey.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE INDUSTRY CHANGE OVER YOUR CAREER?
Processes have sped up considerably, and there's also a far more varied range of materials available, many with lots of very peculiar finishes. In years gone by, you were restricted to certain timbers, such as oak, mahogany, ash and walnut. Now you can get anything, which means designs are far more complex and every designer wants originality for their own design, something that other people have not seen before.
Although the designs are more complex and the details are more intricate, the timespans are far shorter. Twenty-five years ago, we used to get drawings from architects and designers in the post, which they had hand-drawn. We then had time to price the project, and return our tender via the post. Now you get an email inquiry with digital 2D and 3D drawings, and they need a price in a week or two. Everything's at breakneck speed, time’s money and the pressure's intense, which makes the process all the more challenging.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF THE BONADEA PROJECT?
I think the nicest element of it was not only working with Gemma, the owner, and Georgina, but that we manufactured the joinery for the porcelain room exactly to Georgina’s designs. It's simply a gorgeous room with beautiful oak, stained timber and polished with hand-carved cornice. The interiors have silk-wrapped shelves, and there are even pull-out trays with inset kidskin leather for Gemma to present on. It's very traditional in its look, which makes it a favourite of mine, it’s stunning.
IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR WORK THAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE?
I think our history probably surprises people more than anything. When you tell them that the company was established 150 years ago, it’s something to be proud of. There aren't many businesses that have been in existence for that length of time, and the fact that the ties to the original family are still strong after five generations.
I've been here since I left school, so I'm as close as anything to continuing that family tie. I've got a very good relationship with John Seamer, the fifth and final generation to head the business, we're still very close.
I've got a great team around me that has been here a long time as well. Hopefully, that family ethos, and the desire to provide a service and manufacture joinery to the highest possible standard, will continue for many years to come.
THERE ARE SO MANY DECISIONS YOU CAN MAKE WHEN DESIGNING BESPOKE JOINERY, DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR CLIENTS WHO MAY BE OVERWHELMED BY CHOICE?
Keep it simple and if in doubt, consider the manufacturer. I'm very much a traditionalist, so I just like to see beautiful handcrafted joinery. Obviously, many people like to see a very modern look, so we just want to make beautiful joinery, regardless of what it looks like. For me, traditional joinery with beautiful architectural mouldings will always look outstanding. If in doubt, keep it traditional and keep it simple.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE 150 YEARS THAT SEAMERS HAVE BEEN CRAFTING JOINERY FOR?
I've already touched on this, but it bears repeating, the fact that we have never forgotten those values that every generation of the business has held dearly. The heart of what Seamers do is providing a professional service for the customer, and striving to produce joinery to the highest possible standard. It's as simple as that.
Team Seamers are a friendly and incredible bunch who SC loves to work with and recommend to our clients!
Thank you Richard for your time and sharing your wisdom and experience.
Georgina xx
