George Nakashima, Woodworker
.
About Us
“I poke my way through the valley of fallen giants, finding here and there fragments which will be given a second life.”
How do we do this?
We take found wooden objects and figure out ways to repurpose the timber into enduring contemporary furniture designs. We believe every piece of wood has a potential use, and finding that use is our job. In doing so, we aim to encourage a shift towards more thoughtful consumption, reduce waste and in the process make furniture that tells a story.
Why do we use reclaimed wood?
The best quality wood comes from old trees. As these are, quite rightly, often protected this material is no longer readily available in today’s timber yards. Therefore, the only reliable source of beautiful old growth timber is to use reclaimed materials. As reclaimed wood tends to be older it is more stable and results in stronger furniture pieces. We also enjoy making intriguing features of reclaimed timber’s ‘imperfections’ such as cracks, screw holes and saw cuts. Also, of course, you don’t have to cut down any more trees to harvest reclaimed timber – which is always a good thing.
Our Story
I’m Johnny Tyson, owner and chief maker at Fallen Giants. I’ve always loved making things and reusing found objects.
Before Fallen Giants, I worked as graphic designer and then trained as a wooden boat builder. Rowing my boat out to sea is still one of my proudest moments.
Several years ago, while working for a company producing designer kitchens, I learned the techniques of cabinet making but was appalled by the waste involved. At the same time, I became interested in how wood can tell a story; of how it grows, how it has been used and how this can give the maker new ideas for what it can be made into.
I started collecting discarded wood and started to make my own furniture from it. Friends and family began asking me to make similar furniture for them and the idea for Fallen Giants was formed.
I now have my own workshop in Sheffield, where I live with my wife and daughter.
“I poke my way through the valley of fallen giants, finding here and there fragments which will be given a second life.”
George Nakashima, Woodworker
.
How do we do this?
We take found wooden objects and figure out ways to repurpose the timber into enduring contemporary furniture designs. We believe every piece of wood has a potential use, and finding that use is our job. In doing so, we aim to encourage a shift towards more thoughtful consumption, reduce waste and in the process make furniture that tells a story.
Why do we use reclaimed wood?
The best quality wood comes from old trees. As these are, quite rightly, often protected this material is no longer readily available in today’s timber yards. Therefore, the only reliable source of beautiful old growth timber is to use reclaimed materials. As reclaimed wood tends to be older it is more stable and results in stronger furniture pieces. We also enjoy making intriguing features of reclaimed timber’s ‘imperfections’ such as cracks, screw holes and saw cuts. Also, of course, you don’t have to cut down any more trees to harvest reclaimed timber – which is always a good thing.
Our Story
I’m Johnny Tyson, owner and chief maker at Fallen Giants. I’ve always loved making things and reusing found objects.
Before Fallen Giants, I worked as graphic designer and then trained as a wooden boat builder. Rowing my boat out to sea is still one of my proudest moments. Several years ago, while working for a company producing designer kitchens, I learned the techniques of cabinet making but was appalled by the waste involved. At the same time, I became interested in how wood can tell a story; of how it grows, how it has been used and how this can give the maker new ideas for what it can be made into.
I started collecting discarded wood and started to make my own furniture from it. Friends and family began asking me to make similar furniture for them and the idea for Fallen Giants was formed. I now have my own workshop in Sheffield, where I live with my wife and daughter.