Waters & Acland Students Shine at the New Furniture Makers Exhibition 2025
We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news from this year’s New Furniture Makers Exhibition, hosted annually by The Furniture Makers’ Company in London — an event that showcases the most exciting emerging talent in British furniture design and craftsmanship.
This year, eight of our students from the Waters & Acland Fine Furniture School were shortlisted:
Rory Gilmore, Jenny Seastone, Will Jenkinson, Nico Fortier, Joseph Blickhan, Helen Sweeney-Wood, Joe Boddington, and Jopis Rojas.
Their work was displayed alongside pieces from top furniture-making schools across the UK, representing the next generation of designer-makers.
And we couldn’t be prouder — two of our students walked away with awards.
Rory Gilmore — 2nd Place, Bespoke Award
Rory Gilmore’s “Barbican Side Tables” mark a remarkable debut into the world of furniture design. His first self-designed project on our Designer Maker course, the pair of tables draw inspiration from the Brutalist architecture of London’s Barbican Centre — a building that played a quiet but powerful role in Rory’s creative journey.
“The Barbican Side Tables are a personal tribute to London’s iconic Barbican Centre — a building I passed almost daily for years while quietly summoning the courage to leave my corporate job and pursue woodworking full time… The Barbican is a bit of a mess, it is an acquired taste… but it is an icon. It stands as a totemic reminder to be brave, take risks and venture into the unknown.”
— Rory Gilmore, Cleat Furniture (@cleat.furniture)
Made from native ash and European oak, the tables curve gently around the bed, their grain-matched drawers echoing the sculptural rhythm of the Barbican’s terraces. A thoughtful and technically accomplished piece, Rory’s work earned him 2nd Place at this year’s exhibition — a huge achievement for a first original design.
Jenny Seastone — 2nd Place, Empty Chair Award (sponsored by The Church of England)
Jenny Seastone’s “Sylva Chair” (formerly known as the Even Ash Chair) also earned a 2nd place award, this time in the Empty Chair Design Award category. Designed and built as her final self-directed project at Waters & Acland, the Sylva Chair showcases both her artistic sensitivity and exceptional craftsmanship.
Crafted from European ash, the chair’s flowing lines and organic form are inspired by tree growth and movement. Subtle angles — including a 2.5° leg rotation and lean — combine with a hand-shaped seat and back splat for comfort and elegance.
“It was designed as a desk chair, but it would be fun to make a set for dining. It’s soft to the touch and finished with @rubiomonocoatuk oil in smoke.”
— Jenny Seastone (@jenniferseastone)
A technically demanding build executed beautifully, the Sylva Chair demonstrates Jenny’s precision and design maturity. Her recognition at the exhibition is richly deserved — congratulations, Jenny!
Celebrating Our Shortlisted Students
We also want to celebrate all our other shortlisted students — Will Jenkinson, Nico Fortier, Joseph Blickhan, Helen Sweeney-Wood, Joe Boddington, and Jopis Rojas — each of whom presented work of exceptional creativity, precision, and craftsmanship. The quality of their pieces stood proudly alongside the best in the country, and we’re incredibly proud to see Waters & Acland so well represented again this year.
About the Exhibition
The New Furniture Makers Exhibition, hosted annually by The Furniture Makers’ Company, is one of the most prestigious showcases for emerging designers and makers in the UK. Held at Furniture Makers’ Hall and The Dutch Church in London, it provides a platform for students and recent graduates to exhibit their best work, connect with industry professionals, and celebrate the craft of fine furniture making.
Waters & Acland students have been proud participants every year, and it’s always a joy to see their dedication and creativity recognised on a national stage.
Looking Ahead
For those inspired by Rory and Jenny’s achievements, applications are now open for our Designer Maker course starting September 2026. We also offer a range of short courses and a online furniture-making courses for those unable to join us in person.
Learn more and apply via our website:
Responses