Philip Koomen Furniture ~ Garden Furniture




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Our furniture is suitable for indoor and outdoor use


The original Pondlife Bench in Cedar of Lebanon



         Scallop bench

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u benches

 

 

 


"Two U" benches

 

 


Figure of eight bench

plank chairs front and back view

Plank chairs in yew


nine sided garden table in oak

Six sided oak garden table


Elm refectory style garden table


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This very large Pondlife bench and its siblings (not shown here) can be seen at Bourton House in Gloucestershire

Commissioning a Pondlife bench

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The original "Pondlife" bench was produced in 1998. It has been described by The Independent as "organic and wildly eccentric" and by Channel 4 as "absolutely beautiful". The Pondlife bench began as a one-off experimental flight of fancy, exploring the relationship between furniture and sculpture. The design aims to create an object that transcends its functional purpose, engaging the user and observer in an unusual aesthetic and tactile experience.
Pondlife benches are made from locally and regionally sourced timber. A semi-bespoke range means clients can usually commission a bench that meets their needs. One-off variations can also be produced.

Semi-bespoke range – a guide
• The semi-bespoke range is made from green sweet chestnut thinnings and air-dried cedar of Lebanon (for the seats)
• They are suitable for exterior use only
Size: different sizes are available: single seater (72cm wide), 2 seater (127cm wide), 2¼ seater (138cm wide), 2½ seater (150cm wide), 3 seater (190cm wide)
Durability: sweet chestnut and cedar of Lebanon have been selected for their natural durability
• Fixings: stainless steel 15cm coach screws
• Finish: the benches are finished in Tung oil, a natural durable finish that can be revived with subsequent coats of oil
• Patina: wood exposed to the elements will develop a grey patina, a self protective finish. Alternative finishes that preserve the natural wood colour may be an    option
• Individuality & uniqueness: the 'reeds' are hand-carved; each bench will therefore have its own character. Every bench is numbered
• Delivery: by carriers, at cost

Some of the processes involved in producing a Pondlife bench


Felling the thinnings


Felled thinnings


Split banana thinnings

Band sawing the thinnings

Reeds quartered and eighted

Spoke shaving the reeds to 'carve' a more refined shape

Shaped reeds ready for sanding

Sanding the reeds

Shaped and sanded reeds ready for oiling

Oiled reeds

Reeds are positioned and pre-drilled

A finished Pondlife in situ

Pondlife table

Two Pondlife benches back to back

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Contact:
Philip Koomen . Wheelers Barn . Checkendon . South Oxfordshire . RG8 0NJ
Phone 01491 681122
Email Philip Koomen Furniture

Webpage by Esmyr van Hees
Last Updated 14 March 2008

 


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