We’ve always been drawn to overlooked pieces of furniture and the potential they hold. This vintage school cabinet was a perfect example — beautifully made drawers and years of character, hidden within a large and rather utilitarian carcass.
Rather than simply restoring the piece, we decided to reimagine it.
The original cabinet was carefully stripped back and its proportions altered, retaining the characterful bank of solid timber drawers at the heart of the design. We then created a new top and base from reclaimed Iroko, chosen for its rich tone and natural compatibility with the original timber.
A new handmade base lifted the cabinet from the floor and completely changed its proportions, transforming what had been a functional piece of school storage into a distinctive piece of furniture for a contemporary interior.
The timber was carefully refinished while preserving the variations, markings and patina acquired through its previous life. The result is a completely unique piece where old and new sit naturally together — retaining the history of the original while giving it an entirely new purpose.