The Journey of a Furniture Restorer-Turned-Maker
Have you ever wondered what it takes to bring the beauty of natural materials to life through the art of furniture making? Well, let me tell you a story that just might inspire you to see the world of furniture in a whole new light.
My name is Didier Guenard, and I like to think of myself as a furniture alchemist – someone who can transform the humble elements of wood, metal, and stone into stunning, one-of-a-kind creations. But my path to becoming a furniture maker wasn’t exactly a straight line. In fact, it was more like a winding, twisting journey filled with unexpected turns and a whole lot of serendipity.
From Troubled Teenager to Furniture Restorer
It all started back in the 1960s, when I was just a young, rebellious teenager growing up in the small town of Le Creusot. I’ll admit, I wasn’t exactly the model student – in fact, my childhood and adolescence were a bit, well, unruly, to say the least. But something happened that would end up changing the course of my life forever.
As I stumbled through my teenage years, I found myself drawn to the world of woodworking. It was as if the wood itself was calling out to me, beckoning me to explore its hidden depths. So, I enrolled in the Lycée Bonaparte in Autun, where I earned my diploma in 1981 and started to immerse myself in the fascinating realm of furniture restoration.
Uncovering the Ingenuity of Antique Furniture
During those formative years, I had the privilege of delving into the secret world of furniture restoration – a realm that was vastly different from the production-focused approach I had learned in school. It was here that I discovered the true artistry and ingenuity of our ancestors’ work, and I was captivated by the opportunity to breathe new life into these cherished objects.
Think of it like being a surgeon for furniture – you have to possess a unique set of skills, knowledge, and patience to carefully graft new materials, revitalize colors, and restore worn-out locks. It’s a profession that requires a true mastery of techniques, from stripping and sanding to polishing and varnishing. And the best part? The restorer’s work is often invisible, blending seamlessly with the original piece to create something truly remarkable.
Exploring the Creative Possibilities
As I continued to hone my craft as a furniture restorer, I couldn’t help but feel that there was something more I wanted to explore. So, in the early 1980s, I started taking evening ceramics classes at the School of Fine Arts in Chalon-sur-Saône, and a few years later, I added drawing classes to my repertoire. These creative pursuits not only sharpened my skills but also ignited a spark within me that would eventually lead me down an entirely new path.
It was in 1990 that I decided to take the plunge and put on my first outdoor exhibition, showcasing a few paintings, some figurative wooden sculptures, and a miniature walnut wardrobe – a true masterpiece that combined all of my areas of expertise. This was the moment when I realized that I didn’t just want to restore furniture; I wanted to create it.
The Birth of the Diaposaurus
One of my most ambitious and captivating projects came to life in the late 1990s – the Diaposaurus. This multipurpose cabinet of curiosities took me over 1,000 hours to complete, and it was nothing short of a masterpiece. Inspired by the legend of the Burgundian dragon known as La Vouivre, the Diaposaurus was a true testament to my creativity and technical prowess.
Featuring a rich tapestry of local and exotic woods, forged steel rods with various patinas, resin, fiber glass, and an array of fossils, pebbles, sand, and glass marbles, the Diaposaurus was a true work of art. It had intricate drawers, a sprung ejection mechanism, and even a secret compartment – a true testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship that went into its creation.
Embracing the Art of Repurposing
As I continued to explore the creative possibilities of furniture making, I found myself drawn to the idea of repurposing materials in unexpected ways. This led me to experiment with old acacia wood fence posts, combining them with slate pool tables and metal to create a prehistoric effect reminiscent of the Rahan comic books I loved as a child.
But my passion for repurposing didn’t stop there. I soon became fascinated with the curved barrel stave, and as I mastered its use, I set off on a new adventure – creating my first pirates trunk, which eventually led me to the Barque du petit Béta and the Fauteuil à pépé. These pieces, all part of my Diogenes, Rahan, and Eclipse collections, were showcased in a little chapel in the village of Corlay during the summer of 1999, and they proved to be a huge hit, selling almost immediately.
Becoming an Official Furniture Maker
Encouraged by the success of my initial forays into furniture making, I decided to take the leap and become an official furniture maker in 2001. I built a workshop extension onto my home and began creating a wide range of pieces, from farm tables made from reclaimed wine industry wood to the La Vache à roulette, a unique trolley used for ceremonial serving of bread and cheese.
But my journey didn’t stop there. In 2003, I had the opportunity to try my hand at interior design, creating the décor for the beer cave La Billebaude in the town of Givry. And the same year, I entered my Dionysus armchair-ship in the European Bacchus competition, where it won the Grand International Creativity Prize 2002-2003 in Florence.
Embracing the Beauty of Natural Materials
Throughout my career, one constant has remained: my deep appreciation for the beauty and potential of natural materials. Whether it’s the warm, earthy tones of reclaimed wood, the rugged charm of forged steel, or the timeless elegance of natural stone, I’ve always been drawn to the way these elements can be transformed into something truly extraordinary.
At our website, you’ll find a wide range of custom furniture and related services, all crafted with the utmost attention to detail and a deep respect for the natural world. From heirloom-quality tables and chairs to one-of-a-kind sculptures and showpieces, we strive to unleash the inherent beauty of the materials we work with, creating pieces that are not just functional, but truly works of art.
Embracing the Unexpected
As I reflect on my journey, I realize that the path to becoming a furniture maker has been anything but straightforward. It’s been a winding, unpredictable adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns – from my rebellious teenage years to my unexpected discovery of the art of furniture restoration, and finally, to the creation of my own unique, and often unconventional, pieces.
But that’s what makes this journey so fulfilling. It’s the embrace of the unexpected, the willingness to experiment, and the constant pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible that has truly defined my career as a furniture maker. And as I continue to create, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds – what new materials, techniques, and design challenges will inspire me to reach even greater heights.
So, if you’re looking to add a touch of natural elegance and artistry to your home or business, I invite you to explore the world of Unfinished Furniture. Who knows, you just might find the perfect piece to unleash the beauty of natural materials in a way you never imagined.
