James Otter - fine furniture
beautiful furniture
with a purpose
Elegant Green - Dining Chair Surf Board Contemporary Coffee Table Structured Comfort Chair Rippling Restplace
James Otter
Designer and maker of fine furniture

I am a young furniture designer and maker, living and working in Cornwall, who has developed a joy and appreciation of working with wood, and enjoy exploring the possibilities of its structural and aesthetical uses.

My work reflects inspiration from the natural world and the use of locally supplied sustainable materials is fundamental to my practise. As a designer and maker I am lucky enough to be able to evaluate the environmental impact of my products all the way through their manufacture and I use this to inform and develop my designs.

The items shown on this site are examples of my work, most of which are results of material and aesthetical explorations using timber while studying at Plymouth University in Devon. I am happy to work with clients to meet their specific needs and to design and make bespoke items, so feel free to get in touch if any of my work inspires some of your own creativity.

My current work has its emphasis on my surfboard project – to develop hollow wooden surfboards to replace and reduce the use of toxic substances in surfboard manufacture and to marry two of my deepest passions.

Visit the surfboard product page. Visit My surfboard website

Soon I will be adding a philosophies and lifestyle page to my website, where I will discuss issues surrounding my work and life. I feel as though the two go hand in hand, so it is important to understand the context of my work and the values I hold close to my heart every day.

Another page to soon be added will be for links, where I will put together a list of other sites that you as a viewer may find of interest and to help promote small companies that have influenced my work.

Latest News
23 September 2010
Dartington Cider Press Centre Gallery
Two of my Surf Boards and a new chair will be on display at the Dartington Cider Press Centre Gallery, Dartington near Totnes, in their “Take a Pew” exhibition commencing on the 23rd of September and lasting six weeks. A great opportunity to see my work alongside some of the south west’s best designer makers.
January 2010
The workshop is up and running
Having made the move down to Cornwall, I have now established my workshop to continue making away from the security of University facilities. I am currently developing some more surfboards and making some small furniture pieces for a private client.
December 2010
National Magazine Feature
A British Woodworking Magazine writes about my work as “The Surfboard Maker” in their Dec/Jan issue. This is a great compliment and it is encouraging to have interest and respect from people working in the industry as well as national promotion. Read the article.
September 2009
Graduated from Plymouth University
First class honours in 3D Design – Designer Maker. I completed my final year at Plymouth culminating in the degree show and our stand at New Designers in London earlier in the year, with our ceremony taking place in September on the Plymouth Hoe.
September 2009
Pennyhooks Bench
My new product, the Pennyhooks Bench, has been added to the website. A durable, green outdoor bench that can be constructed by the user. Please visit the product page for more details.
August 2009
Rippling Restplace wins two awards

First place in Fine Crafted Wood Trainee Competition and People’s Choice in the News Forest Trust Exhibition at the New Forest annual country show. Thanks to Axminster tool company for sponsoring the show.

15th - 19th July 2009
New Designers, Business Design Centre, London N1

I exhibited my work in Part 2 of the New Designers show, the only design event to bring together over 3,500 graduates from across all the major disciplines.

For more details on New Designers, click here.

20th - 26th June 2009
Degree Show
5th - 7th June 2009
Bovey Tracey Craft Show
My Rippling Rest Place was on display. More details about the Rippling Rest Place... To see what was on over the weekend visit the Bovey Tracey Craft Fair website.