Why furniture designer Samuel Chan’s creations are an investment
The Hong Kong-born British furniture designer, of Channels Design, is fascinated with wood. He tells us why he believes his simple furniture is worth investing in
How did wood come to be your medium? “Wood is a living material, so you don’t know what it will be like until you start making something. I always ask myself ‘What can this piece of wood do?’
“I became interested in woodwork while at secondary school [in Britain]. My woodwork teacher [Harry Knock] played a very important role in guiding me to where I am today. After I graduated he was always the first person in the door at all my exhibitions. My latest furniture collection is named after him. I am now involved in lecturing at universities and at the Furniture Guild, where I help youngsters prepare for their profession. It is payback time.”
How would you describe your style? “Simple designs with attention to detail and craftsmanship are always key elements in my work. Luckily, there is a growing interest in craftsmanship, with consumers demanding better quality. The furniture we make is an investment. It is also less wasteful to have something you want to keep from generation to generation.”
Do you start a project with an image of how it will look in a particular setting? “I concentrate on letting the design flow but, thanks to my training, I also think about how it will fit into an interior setting. For example, if it is a calm setting, then I look for a straight, simple grain but if it’s a more dramatic environment, then I look for a more intricate pattern in the wood.”