The Winter Wardrobe

With snow beginning to fall here in Edinburgh and people choosing to stay tucked up inside by the fire we here at Take Root Designs have come up with a wardrobe idea to fit this time of year. 

Our newest carpentry creation has three large drawers, two dividing units with a custom clothes hanger, perched at the top is a further three vast shelving spaces. We had to add a little extra with a neatly hidden detachable skirting board to really utilise the space. 

The entire wardrobe has a snowy white coating from top to bottom, perfectly matched with our own bespoke American walnut handles. The dark walnut beautifully contrasts the light exterior to give it that warm log fire winter feeling. 

We always love trying new styles whilst working alongside our customers to bring their vision to life. Our winter wardrobe design is the perfect example of customer collaboration and Take Root Design craftsmanship.

A Sterling Effort

We always pride ourselves at rising to the occasion especially when it’s comes to new and innovative projects.

Our newest endeavour began when we were commissioned to design a bespoke fitted wardrobe with two sliding doors, an array of shelving units and four sturdy drawers to match. The interesting twist was our customer wanted it made entirely out of Sterling wood.

Sterling wood, more commonly know as OSB, is typically used for construction and the sheathing of walls. The thick board is manufactured from thousands of different strands of wood held together by a very strong adhesive. 

Of late it has become a highly fashionable style in Scandavian countries to have furniture made from this Sterling wood. With it’s light colour, obscure patterns and lasting duribilty we can see why this trend has become so popular and is now making it’s way across to Edinburgh.

Of course we wanted to add our own personal Take Roots style to it. Taking our time to sand down the entirety of wardrobe, smoothing down all those rough edgings and recoating from the original industrial varnish to our high standard yacht finish. 

Though we walked away pulling out a few extra splinters from our hands for the effort we were very proud of our customers delight as her invisioned design came to light. 

The Beginning of my Joinery Journey

It has been six months since I started my apprenticeship with Take Root Designs under the guidance of my own personal Mr Miyagi Christopher Carlyle. The first thing I would say about my exploits with Take Root is how refreshing it has been to learn a subject from someone whose depth of knowledge and understanding is only matched by his love for what he does.

Personally, like a lot of people, I never knew what career was for me. I chopped and changed a lot in different industries but with carpentry I've found something that is constantly changing and challenging me on a daily basis. It's such a satisfying feeling to have an idea and then to watch the process happen in front of you and finally, to manifest something into reality. While Carpentry can be tough, trying and frustrating I can honestly say I have found something that really clicks with me and for that I will always be so grateful to Chris and Take Root for bringing me on board.

Chris and I have been good friends for many a year, all beginning when we formed a blues band with my older brother Peter. While I'm sure I can drive Chris to madness and vice versa it's an incredible experience working alongside a friend on a common goal and dream. At the workshop we have a lot of fun and laughs however we take our jobs very seriously and there is a lot of hard graft and late shifts put into every job we do. From building intricate bespoke wardrobes to challenging ourselves with king sized loft beds with hidden ladders, we always give 100%.

Being able to look from the inside of the company out, I can honestly say how determined and passionate Chris is in wanting to give the best product possible, working extra hours and weekends to make sure it's up his own personal standard and that of Take Root Designs. Which is infectious if not a little frustrating come a Sunday morning shift.

It has been such a humbling experience working for this company so far and I hope this blog can give some insight into the day to day of my apprenticeship and what goes on behind the scenes of a small bespoke joinery business.