PETTER BJORN SOUTHALL

Petter Southall’Äôs eloquent designs explore the language of geometry and rhythm through straight lines and curves, arches and twists which he creates in solid timber using steam bending techniques.

Petter set up the i tre furniture studio at Chilcombe in West Dorset in 1991 and has been making his one-off and small batch furniture to commission and for exhibition ever since. The studio employs a small team of dedicated craftsmen and apprentices to make furniture which is distinctive for its innovative joinery, uniquely ambitious steam bent components, exacting eye for detail and texture and wonderful sense of proportion. The furniture is made to be used and is practical and comfortable as well as aesthetically pleasing.

The instigator and designer of Sladers Yard, Petter was educated all over the world but returned to his native Norway to apprentice as a wooden boat builder when he was 17. He built boats for almost ten years and was chosen as one of only eight Norwegians to be taught to build the Oselver Faering, an historic open sailing/row boat often referred to as the Stradivarius of the fjords. This beautiful design has inspired his future work. He made his first Oselver when he was 21 and still sails it from West Bay harbour.

He has worked wood all his life, studying fine cabinet making with James Krenov at the College of the Redwods in California and sustainable design at John Makepeace’Äôs Hooke Park College. His first commission was a dining room for the late sculptress Dame Elisabeth Frink and he has gone from there, making furniture for private houses, public and corporate spaces, indoors and out. He has furnished rooms for London’Äôs National Gallery and Barbican Art Gallery. His Twist Table is in the National Collection at the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead. He is an elected member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. He has exhibited widely throughout the UK, in Europe and New York and had a showroom in Pimlico Road, London SW1, for some years. Sladers Yard is now his main showroom. He is pleased to accept commissions, large and small.

Petter Southall's showroom with Philosophy - Julian Bailey, Derek Nice and Petter Southall - West Bay - Beatitudes featuring Cheryl Campbell - Miranda Creswell's paintings and drawings - West Bay - Beatitudes by David Inshaw - Alfred Stockham, Miranda Creswell and Petter Southall - Out to Sea - Bailey Nice and Southall - The Need to Dream - Vanessa Gardiner - Tim Nicholson - Sladers Yard Christmas Show - Robin Rae - Petter Bjorn Southall - A New Lease of Life - Angels and Demons Christopher Row