Richard Buckingham

Furniture Skills Courses
Richard's courses run from his workshop in Coverack, on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall. Richard has been teaching furniture design and making since 2005 and is a qualified further education teacher. All courses include health and safety in the workshop. Materials, equipment, tools, Lunch* and refreshments are provided. If you are needing accommodation, we can send you a list of great places to stay locally. Interested in a course that isn't scheduled? Please send us an email or give Richard a call.

The Deco Mirror
English cherry and birds eye maple veneer, with patinated copper, maple and Cornish serpentine detailing H1330mm x W660
The Deco Mirror H1330mm x W660mm Handcrafted using English Cherry and Birdseye Maple veneer with Cornish Serpentine, Maple and Patinated Copper detailing. Veneered onto high quality Birch Ply that provides stability and enables techniques such as book matching and wrapping (continuing the veneer around the sides of the frame). This allows beautiful symmetry and enables construction of the corner details that would not be possible using solid wood due to movement. The ply has been pre-lipped with the appropriate timber so that no veneer is glued directly to the laminations of the ply. As a result of this construction, the mirror should not be affected by normal temperature and humidity changes as solid wood but they are not suitable for bathrooms or steamy environments. The Serpentine has been collected from the Lizard Coast in Cornwall and handcrafted by Don Taylor a local craftsman and stone sculptor. Richard uses a variety of techniques to patinate the copper to his requirements, normally over a period of several weeks to get a natural oxidised finish. There is always an element of variation in this process so care is taken to select the materials that harmonise with the different tones and textures that occur. The bevelled mirror is foil backed and neatly secured using triangular profile beading and stainless steel raised head slotted screws. The mirror is hung on two hand-made brass keyhole hangers. Good fixings are required. Please contact Richard for advice if needed.

The Moresk Mirror - Rippled Sycamore
Inspired by the Moresk Viaduct in Truro, this mirror is hand crafted from rippled sycamore veneer, black walnut, tawny mother of pearl and patinated copper detailing. H1200mm x W790
The Moresk Mirror - Rippled Sycamore - 1200mm x W790mm Inspired by a detail found on the Arts and Crafts era Moresk (Truro) Viaduct, this mirror has been handcrafted using Rippled Sycamore veneer with Black Walnut, Tawny Mother of Pearl and Patinated Copper detail. Veneered onto high quality Birch Ply that provides stability and enables techniques such as book matching and wrapping (continuing the veneer around the sides of the frame). The ply has been pre-lipped with the appropriate timber so that no veneer is glued directly to the laminations of the ply. On inspection the mirror looks like it is made from solid wood as even the end grain has been applied giving it the look of a traditional haunched mortise and tenon joint. As a result of this construction, the mirror should not be affected by normal temperature and humidity changes as solid wood but they are not suitable for bathrooms or steamy environments. Richard uses a variety of techniques to patinate the copper to his requirements, normally over a period of several weeks to get a natural oxidised finish. There is always an element of variation in this process so care is taken to select the materials that harmonise with the different tones and textures that occur. The bevelled mirror is foil backed and neatly secured using triangular profile beading and stainless steel raised head slotted screws. The mirror is hung on two hand-made brass keyhole hangers. Strong fixings are required.

The Kensa Mirror
The First mirror in this collection, The Kensa mirror is hand crafted from Lace wood Veneer, Cornish Rhododendron, with Copper detailing. H1035mm x W470
The Kensa Mirror - Lacewood - H1035mm x W470mm Kensa, meaning First in Cornish, was one of my original designs over 10 years ago inspired by features from the Arts and Crafts era. This mirror is handcrafted using Lacewood veneer with Cornish Rhododendron and patinated copper detail. Lacewood comes from the London Plane tree and when quarter-sawn, reveals the most amazing grain patterns as it exposes the medullary rays. Veneered onto high quality Birch Ply that provides stability and enables techniques such as book matching and wrapping (continuing the veneer around the sides of the frame). The ply has been pre-lipped with the appropriate timber so that no veneer is glued directly to the laminations of the ply. On inspection the mirror looks like it is made from solid wood as even the end grain has been applied giving it the look of a traditional haunched mortise and tenon joint. As a result of this construction, the mirror should not be affected by normal temperature and humidity changes as solid wood but they are not suitable for bathrooms or steamy environments. Richard uses a variety of techniques to patinate the copper to his requirements, normally over a period of several weeks to get a natural oxidised finish. There is always an element of variation in this process so care is taken to select the materials that harmonise with the different tones and textures that occur. The bevelled mirror is foil backed and neatly secured using triangular profile beading and stainless steel raised head slotted screws. The mirror is hung on two hand-made brass keyhole hangers. Strong fixings are required.

The Moresk Mirror - Japanese Silky Oak
Inspired by the Moresk Viaduct in Truro, this mirror is hand crafters from Japanese Silky Oak Veneer, Cornish Laburnum, with Copper detailing. H790mm x W1200. H790mm x W1200.
The Moresk Mirror Japanese Silky Oak - H790mm x W1200 Inspired by a detail found on the Arts and Crafts era Moresk (Truro) Viaduct, this mirror has been handcrafted using Japanese Silky Oak veneer with Cornish Laburnum and patinated copper detail. Veneered onto high quality Birch Ply that provides stability and enables techniques such as book matching and wrapping (continuing the veneer around the sides of the frame). The ply has been pre-lipped with the appropriate timber so that no veneer is glued directly to the laminations of the ply. On inspection the mirror looks like it is made from solid wood as even the end grain has been applied giving it the look of a traditional haunched mortise and tenon joint. As a result of this construction, the mirror should not be affected by normal temperature and humidity changes as solid wood but they are not suitable for bathrooms or steamy environments. Richard uses a variety of techniques to patinate the copper to his requirements, normally over a period of several weeks to get a natural oxidised finish. There is always an element of variation in this process so care is taken to select the materials that harmonise with the different tones and textures that occur. The bevelled mirror is foil backed and neatly secured using triangular profile beading and stainless steel raised head slotted screws. The mirror is hung on two hand-made brass keyhole hangers. Strong fixings are required.

Cheval Mirror
with patinated copper detail.
Similar available to commission.

The Estyllen shelving 4
Cornish Elm 1070mm x 900mm x 170mm
Made from Cornish Elm harvested within 30 metres of the workshop where it was created, this unique shelving unit has a minimal bracket construction meaning that no space is lost on the shelves. As a result of the timber being exclusively air dried, this shelving has plenty of character due to the wild grain patterns and features of the timber. The uprights that support the shelves can double up as book ends if required, leaving space to display items at both ends of the shelves. Hung on 4 hand-made brass keyhole hangers means there are no visible fixings but does require a reasonably flat wall where the top two hangers may suffice depending on weight of display items and solidity of fixings. To hang on an uneven stone wall some preparation may be required. This item is finished with Danish oil.

Estyllen Shelving 3
Handcrafted in Ash 750mm x 950mm x 175mm
Made from Ash, this unique shelving unit has a minimal bracket construction meaning that no space is lost on the shelves. The uprights that support the shelves can double up as book ends if required, leaving space to display items at both ends of the shelves. Hung on 2 hand-made brass keyhole hangers means there are no visible fixings but does require a reasonably flat wall. To hang on an uneven stone wall some preparation may be required. This item is finished with danish oil. Similar available to commission.

Estyllen Shelving 2
Handcrafted in Ash 350mm x 900mm x 140mm
Made from Ash, this unique shelving unit has a minimal bracket construction meaning that no space is lost on the shelves. The uprights that support the shelves can double up as book ends if required, leaving space to display items at both ends of the shelves. Hung on 2 hand-made brass keyhole hangers means there are no visible fixings but does require a reasonably flat wall. To hang on an uneven stone wall some preparation may be required. This item is finished with danish oil.