Auckland furniture designer and maker talks to Houses about his design inspirations and what makes it fun.

Did you want to be a designer growing up?

I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was raised in a really creative environment by a film-maker and a photographer. My parents always inspired me do something creative and I was too short to be a professional basketball player!

Did you get into design through work experience or study?

A bit of both. I studied art and design straight after high school and worked retail in a number of design stores before I decided to learn how to make furniture at Unitec.

Who are your favourite New Zealand designers? 

Rebecca Snelling from Workroom; she and her dad Doug design, create and physically make incredible lighting and furniture. They’re really ahead of their time, particularly in New Zealand. 

My latest obsession is Max Lamb – he’s not from New Zealand but is leading a group of young international designers. He designs through the process of making, while experimenting with all kinds of materials and methods.  

What are your preferred materials to work with?

I mainly work with timber. As a raw material it can be a challenge because it is a living thing and shrinks, expands and generally moves a lot. It really has a life of its own, and does things of its own accord. It’s a gradual learning process, understanding the different timbers, as none are the same. I think this is what makes it so special. My current favourites are American hardwoods, such as white oak. Oak is an aesthetically pleasing timber, as well as being incredibly hard-wearing. I’d like to experiment in the near future with concrete, copper and steel, and learn how to weld.

You recently collaborated on a piece (the Weave chair) with Rebecca Snelling from Workroom. How did this collaboration come about? 

I work part-time at Douglas + Bec (in the shop and workshop). As I said before, working with Rebecca and Doug has been really inspiring. Doug is an incredible maker; he’s self-taught and the real deal. Rebecca and I started up a dialogue about the possibility of a collaboration and it just grew from there! I’ve been really lucky to work with such talented people.

What’s the best thing about designing and making furniture? 

I haven’t been around for that long so hopefully this list will grow, but I really enjoy the process of making. Seeing the progress from a few bits of wood to a finished piece of furniture after putting my blood (literally – chisels are brutal), sweat and tears into it, it’s pretty satisfying!

www.samormegee.com