While studying painting for a Fine Art Degree, Nicky Stephens had a piece of sculpture accepted for the Young Contemporaries Exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London. “As long as I can remember, I’ve always been happiest when constructing things. More recently, I’ve come to love drawing from life. It’s a source of inspiration for m y work.”

He was born in London, at the start of the Post-war blossoming of British Contemporary Design. “I can just remember being carried around the Festival of Britain and I’ve always loved the Royal Festival Hall which was built for the occasion. It’s so light and airy. Functional, but welcoming.

Long stays with his Anglo-Armenian grandparents in the Middle East and later visits to North Africa an d the Caribbean were also very influential. This and the challenge of working with a wide variety of clients has resulted in an original, eclectic, but recognisable personal style. “I think of styles as simply different visual languages to be used as we want. What you say, and if it’s under stood and useful, is more important than whether it’s said in a currently fashionable language or not.”

He often chooses to use European Hardwoods like Walnut and Elm, but also enjoys working with whatever raw materials seem appropriate for the project, such as manufactured board, metal and plastic. “I’m basically a woodworker, but experimenting with other materials is exciting if they are used honestly. On-the-whole, I’m more interested in the structure and form of a piece than the surface decoration.”

After a period of house painting and travel, he went on to teach art and crafts and has recently completed ten years as a visiting Lecturer in 3D Design. “I really learned a lot and loved teaching, but decided I needed to put all my energy into making furniture.”

For the last 15 years he has shared a large workshop in Brixton, South London with three other Designer Makers. “We all work in very different ways, which is stimulating, but also the advice and moral support can be very reassuring when you’re venturing out on a limb.” They have recently bought and restored the Grade II listed building which houses their workshop.