Back to basics

Batheaston’s new Natural range of fine handmade furniture brings a minimalist, modern twist to its classic designs

The last two years have given us more time at home which, in turn, has led to an increased interest in home improvement. Furniture has been a key factor as for the most part we’ve been sitting on or around it.

During the pandemic, Batheaston continued to craft furniture from its traditional core range of oak tables and ash chairs, but it also took the opportunity to embark on a new project, creating contemporary, alternative designs. It began with the Revival chair.

A simpler version of the traditional Windsor chair, the Revival sees the design being stripped back with a ‘less is more’ approach. ‘The Revival chair still prides itself on possessing the comfort of the Windsor, but the edges are straighter and there’s a lot less fuss when compared with the original,’ explains Sam Gill, designer at Batheaston.

Following on from the success of the Revival design, the experts at Batheaston continued creating, leading to the Natural range. ‘These new designs celebrate the simplicity in the base of the piece and draw your eye to the character of the natural oak,’ says Sam. ‘One design that we’re particularly proud of is the Tractor Seat barstool. My Father’s old TE20 Massey Ferguson tractor is usually parked at the end of the wood store, used for carting various bits back and forth. It was inevitable that sooner or later the iconic shape of the seat would make its way into a design, be it intentional or not.’

The seat of the Tractor barstool is made from a solid lump of English pippy oak, which has been carved to shape and finished in a natural colourway, and the base is made from ash, sprayed in satin black. This minimal design lets the seat’s unique character speak for itself.

See Batheaston’s furniture being made to order in person, online at batheaston.co.uk or on Facebook or Instagram. To speak to Sam, Miles or Julie (the furniture makers), call 01943 880622, or email sales@batheaston.co.uk. To see both the core range and the new modern designs, visit batheaston.co.uk

Above: Modern shield top extendable table in oak, £2,261 Right: Revival Windsor armchairs in ash, £608 Above left: Sam’s father’s old TE20 Massey Ferguson in the wood store Above right: A closeup of the tractor seat that inspired the Tractor Seat barstool Left: Tractor Seat barstool with ash legs painted black and a pippy oak seat finished in the Natural colour, £420