WATERS & ACLAND

WATERS & ACLAND Waters and Acland is an award winning fine furniture workshop and furniture school.

The Waters and Acland furniture school and workshop is a hub of creativity, passion, and dedication to the art of fine furniture design and craftsmanship. Since founding our workshop and fine furniture school in 2006, we have pursued a dual mission: to craft furniture of exceptional quality and to preserve the legacy of woodworking through our comprehensive courses. From 2-day workshops to our pre

stigious 1-year Designer Maker Course, we offer something for everyone. Additionally, we have embraced online learning, including our popular Makers Club, offering a complete online course, community access, and exclusive perks for woodworking enthusiasts around the world!

02/06/2026

We’re always so impressed by all the incredible tri tables our students create during the 1-week, 4-week, and designer maker courses.

If you’ve been dreaming of joining us at the furniture school, this could be the perfect opportunity. Due to late availability, we have just two places remaining on our 1-week tri table course starting June 8th.

Members of our online school may also want to check the community feed for a special opportunity related to this course. Full details can be found in the online school -> community post. Links in bio 👍🏻

28/05/2026

Tom Davies’ brilliant Overlocker cabinet in ash and oak - Tom’s first self-designed piece on our three term designer maker course. The cabinet draws on the tradition of Arts and Crafts furniture making while pushing towards something quietly contemporary.

Built entirely from solid timber, the cabinet combines a dovetailed outer carcase with a mitred inner carcase, piston-fit oak drawers with applied ash fronts, and a frame and panel back. The hinged front and layered shadow gaps create a subtle sense of intrigue, revealing the cabinet’s inner world as it unfolds open.

Dovetail shaped muntins and carefully considered joinery details celebrate the process of learning to make, while the unconventional opening mechanism is designed around the practical ergonomics of lifting and storing a sewing machine. The fumed oak legs were finished in boiled linseed oil and the cabinet finished in hardwax oil. Huge congratulations to Tom!👏🏻

Tom has already started work on his second project, so stay tuned for updates on that here and in our online school blog. Link in bio for all courses, the online school, and the latest blog post. 🙌🏻

‘Goggles’ is a striking cabinet by former Designer Maker student Karianne - a self-designed project made during her tim...
26/05/2026

‘Goggles’ is a striking cabinet by former Designer Maker student Karianne - a self-designed project made during her time at the furniture school.

Taking cues from eyewear design, the piece balances humour and precision making. The walnut grain-wrapped carcase with crisp mitred dovetails is beautifully made, while the vivid green glass drawer front adds a bold hit of colour and personality. One of our favourite details is the cleverly integrated “nose space” handle, which is playful, understated, and completely integral to the design.

It’s always rewarding to see students develop such a confident design language while pushing their technical skills at the bench. 👏🏻

Thinking about taking the leap into furniture making yourself? Applications are now open for our next available 3-term Designer Maker course beginning September 2027 - with just 1 place remaining on our 2-term Designer Maker course starting this September.

Not quite ready for the full course? Our short courses, from intensive 2-day workshops to our 4-week furniture making course, offer hands-on introduction to life in the workshop.

If you’re unable to join us in-person, our online school brings a selection of our popular set projects and techniques straight to your own bench, complete with tutorials, drawings, and resources. Explore everything via the links in our bio 👀

The Slackwood sideboard and sliding door in Yew, reclaimed from the very grounds of the modern extension it now lives.De...
22/05/2026

The Slackwood sideboard and sliding door in Yew, reclaimed from the very grounds of the modern extension it now lives.

Designed to follow the curve of the wall, this commission sits seamlessly within the architecture of the space.

Designed and made here

Congratulations to W&A student Ben on completing his first self-designed piece - we love it! 🤩Made in oak with fumed oa...
19/05/2026

Congratulations to W&A student Ben on completing his first self-designed piece - we love it! 🤩

Made in oak with fumed oak slats, every detail has been carefully considered and perfectly executed.

Designed as an amp stand with integrated storage for guitar pedals and accessories, the finished result is absolutely stunning and a real credit to Ben and all the work he’s put in. 👏🏻

Ben has started work on his next self-designed piece, so we’re looking forward to seeing that come together during his final term on the designer maker course.

Fantastic final self-design project by former W&A student Alex : two Hans Wegner inspired chairs made from ash and oak, ...
15/05/2026

Fantastic final self-design project by former W&A student Alex : two Hans Wegner inspired chairs made from ash and oak, incorporating Maloof style and gunstock joints, along with beautiful hand-shaping. Made during his time on the designer maker course.

If you’re interested in turning your woodworking passion into a profession, get in touch today as we’re now taking applications for our next 3-term designer maker course, starting Sept 2027.

The Dovetail Chair - made here using a blend of traditional handcraft and modern manufacturing techniques, these chairs...
13/05/2026

The Dovetail Chair - made here using a blend of traditional handcraft and modern manufacturing techniques, these chairs were designed to balance contemporary elegance with lasting durability.

Featuring bold exposed dovetailed joints for both visual impact and structural strength, each detail reflects the meeting point of machine precision and skilled handwork. From workshop process to final hand-shaping by Head Maker Tim Smith, this piece embodies the care, craftsmanship and innovation behind every bespoke commission we produce.

Alongside the furniture school, we’re also an award-winning team of professional designers and makers, creating bespoke furniture for clients who value beautifully handmade pieces. If you have a dream project in mind, get in touch.

Beautiful details on this hall table by former Designer Maker student Fabian . Constructed in cherry and oak, with handm...
11/05/2026

Beautiful details on this hall table by former Designer Maker student Fabian . Constructed in cherry and oak, with handmade veneered drawer fronts creating a stunning three dimensional visual effect, each framed in polished brass. A superbly executed self-designed piece, made by Fabian on our 2-term Designer Maker course.

Change your life through craft - we have just one place left on our 2-term Designer Maker course starting this September.

If you’re keen to start woodworking as a hobby or experience training at our furniture school, our short courses are a great place to begin and see what can be achieved here at .

Can’t make an IRL course? Our online course is another great way to get started, with classic skill building projects you can make from your home workshop. See our website for more details 👉🏻 all links in bio

06/05/2026

Huge congratulations to Designer Maker student Ben on completing his first self-designed project. And what a debut piece!

Ben designed this cabinet as an amp stand with built-in storage for his guitar pedals and accessories.

Made from oak with fumed oak slats, this was a serious labour of love with over 90 slats hand-sanded to perfection. A huge effort, and superb result. Well done, Ben, it’s a really stunning piece. 👏🏻

If you like quarter sawn oak and medullary rays, this one’s for you 😁The Dover Sideboard, designed and made here - swip...
05/05/2026

If you like quarter sawn oak and medullary rays, this one’s for you 😁

The Dover Sideboard, designed and made here - swipe across for the full reveal 😎

Alongside the furniture school, we’re also an award-winning team of professional designers and makers, creating bespoke commissions for clients who value beautifully handmade furniture. Get in touch if you have a dream piece in mind.

Address

22-25 Staveley Mill Yard
Kendal
LA89LR

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Website

https://online.watersandacland.co.uk/

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