235 Years of Craftsmanship with Smedley: Daniel Harrison

Based in Swansea, South Wales, Daniel Harrison is a designer-maker of bespoke furniture creating free-standing and fitted pieces. He has been commissioned to create other work including large sculptural carvings, staircases, fine boxes and other products made using locally sourced sustainable woods.

Daniel originally trained in Art & Design and subsequently staircase manufacture; combining his love for these and his love for wood to produce bespoke furniture.

Having completed a three-year course in furniture making and design at the Rycotewood Furniture Centre, Oxford, Daniel is able with QEST’S support, to continue his training with Philip Koomen Furniture in south Oxfordshire. The scholarship will allow Daniel to learn from Philip’s team and produce a new body of speculative and commissioned work.

Daniel explains that one of the biggest challenges he faces within his career is global warming and the increasing number of trees lost due to disease, for example, the ash dye back and acute oak decline; we are at risk of losing some of the most iconic trees species. Daniel is a craftsman that uses native woodland timber for his work, so for him, this is the biggest challenge.