The Furniture Makers’ Company announced the winners of its Young Furniture Makers Awards and Prizes at the Young Furniture Makers exhibition earlier this month.

The Young Furniture Makers exhibition took place on Wednesday 11th October at Furniture Makers’ Hall and the spectacular Dutch Church in Austin Friars, London. Around 70 designs from 60 emerging designer-makers were exhibited at the inspirational one-day event, which was set up over 15 years ago for school children, students and graduates to showcase their work to the design community and connect with potential employers.

Following a series of short informative seminars and a drinks reception, hundreds of people packed out the Dutch Church to hear which pieces had been named top of their category, with special guest Tomoko Azumi announcing this year’s winners.

  • National School Design Prize, sponsored by KI: Orbitron by Charlotte Woolard
  • The Bespoke Award, sponsored by Axminster Tools: Lines Puzzle Cabinet by Josey Garbutt
  • The Design Award, sponsored by NaughtOne: Baileigh Chair by Eden Bunce
  • The Textiles Award, prizes sponsored by Parker Knoll: Sculpt by Emily Cross
  • The Leather Prize, prizes sponsored by The Leathersellers’ Company: the Hide Armchair by Holly Preece
  • The Idea Prize, sponsored by Colebrook Bosson Saunders: 25 Degrees by Harvey McKellar
  • The Fast Track Prize, prize sponsored by Malcolm Walker: All Seeing Chair by Maria
  • The Best Chair in Show Prize, sponsored by Sitting Firm by Gaze Burvill: Crescent Chair by Archie Goundrey
  • Best in Show Prize, prize sponsored by Blum: Lines Puzzle Cabinet by Josey Garbutt

"The Young Furniture Makers exhibition yet again proved to be a wonderful celebration of the exceptional and remarkable design talent we have in the UK," commented Amanda Waring, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company. "We are profoundly grateful to our exhibition and award sponsors, whose unwavering support ensures that this inspirational event goes ahead each year. In particular, I extend my thanks to our principal sponsor, Tizo Limited.”