Authentic British timber since 1979
Jo Weaden, founder of Bude based Studio Arvor has been a friend of UK Hardwoods here in Devon for a good number of years. Usually in search for high quality 1.5″ oak and ash, we’re always delighted to supply Jo with the kiln dried timber she needs for her furniture and homeware designs.
Jo has been a furniture design maker for over 10 years and has channeled her designs into one signature brand, Studio Arvor. The word Arvor means Coast in the Cornish language, and being situated in the Cornish town of Bude, locality and traceability play an important part in the ethos of her company. Jo designs and creates bespoke tables, chairs and other furniture items bespoke to your home.
Ethos to ethos........
Reflecting the ethos of us here at UK Hardwoods, Jo too is on a proactive journey towards maximum sustainability and traceability through her work. The fact that we can trace tree to board, and offer our customers a map pin point of where our boards have grown, is one that Studio Arvor benefits from. Jo is able to reflect our traceability credentials and Grown in Britain status in her own work across her collections. Studio Arvor champions non toxic finishes and uses plant based materials where possible. Being able to provide timber that has been sawn, seasoned and kilned in a chemical free process portrays the same message to our customers as it does hers.
Studio Arvor aims to offer complete transparency throughout each material used in the process of the design and manufacture. Offering peace of mind, from sawmill to chair, is Jo’s ultimate aim. With customers being able to trace their table top back to the very site the tree grew. Being so local to our Devon sawmill, Jo is able to purchase trees that have grown merely miles away from her workshop site.
‘Transparency is a core principle of Studio Arvor. Every item is designed and made in our workshop in Bude, Cornwall, using hardwoods from the UK.
Traceability is crucial for encouraging more ethical and sustainable practices especially within the timber industry. Working with UK Hardwoods allows us to be completely transparent through our material provenance.”
Authentic British timber since 1979
“We’re not only interested in the provenance of materials and how it can promote sustainability in terms of material usage. We also believe that having a connection and greater understanding of the steps involved in sourcing the materials, processing them and making furniture, can help provide a greater connection to the item and result in the furniture becoming a treasured part of your home.
We aim to provide our clients with complete confidence, regarding the quality and sustainability of the materials used to make their product. To achieve this we rely on working closely with trusted, small-scale saw mills (like UK Hardwoods) in the area, who pride themselves on traceability and ethical practices.”
With sustainability being a high focus point within Studio Arvor, Jo has made social decisions to donate 1% of all sales towards local groups and charities. Examples of past donations go towards nature conservation and tree planting initiatives. A company that prides itself on high environmental and social responsibility is one that UK Hardwoods is proud to supply our Devon kiln dried timber too. Some of our timber has been expertly drying for 4-5 years, and to know it’s going on to continue its story with such a highly skilled craftswomen always puts a smile on our faces.
Environmentally and socially.....
If its environmentally and socially conscious furniture and homewares that you’re looking for, then Studio Arvor is the place to find it. Whether you’re on your way down to Cornwall on holiday, or live there already, her studio is certainly worth the visit. With a bespoke design and making service available, it’s possible to ask for a bespoke piece of furniture made from the British timber you want. She expertly picks out wood here at our own workshop, with the understanding of your brief in mind. Take a look at Jo’s website here for further information.
