Designing Ash Furniture in Britain with Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman on Sustainable Chair Making and Manufacturing

Robin Johnson speaks with furniture designer Katie Walker and designer Charlie Dedman about the collaboration behind Meon Furniture and the realities of modern British furniture making. The conversation explores design for manufacture, steam bending ash timber, CNC machining, sustainable forestry and the business decisions behind heirloom furniture. They discuss the shift from studio craft to batch production, the value of workshop knowledge, and the importance of constant product improvement through feedback and testing. The episode also examines the role of British timber, the impact of ash dieback on forestry, and the challenge of building furniture that will last for decades rather than years.

Key Topics Covered

1. Furniture design collaboration between Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman
2. The launch and vision of the Meon Furniture brand
3. Steam bending ash timber in chair making
4. Design for manufacture and batch production
5. CNC machining in modern furniture workshops
6. British ash timber and the impact of ash dieback
7. Sustainable furniture production and responsible forestry
8. B Corp certification and ethical manufacturing
9. Furniture product development and continuous improvement
10. The difference between studio craft and commercial manufacturing
11. Building heirloom furniture designed to last generations

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Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

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Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman

01:23 Origins of the Meon Furniture collaboration

02:15 Katie Walker’s design education and Royal College background

07:23 Designing furniture for CNC manufacture

10:33 Learning woodworking skills through hands on training

13:48 Steam bending ash timber for chair design

17:21 Why ash timber is used for interior furniture

18:52 British ash, forestry and ash dieback

23:17 The history and reputation of Gaze Burvill furniture

29:11 Designing joinery that reduces manufacturing time

31:33 Designing sculptural furniture versus designing for production

37:35 Product development and improving furniture over time

41:27 Designing heirloom furniture built to last generations

45:26 Launch strategy for Meon Furniture

49:12 Why chair making is one of the hardest furniture disciplines

50:48 Advice to younger designers entering the craft industry