Q&A With Sharon Bennett
Q&A With Sharon Bennett
TWISTED EYE'S founder/Maker
Sharon the Founder of Twisted Eye – Q&A on Design and Process
What’s your favourite part of designing and The process of making furniture?
There's a few favourite parts. Taking rough sawn planks of wood and working them into a finished, polished beautiful piece of hardwood furniture is just a joy. I absolutely love experimenting with different styles, finishes and effects. I also find turning legs on the lathe one of the most satisfying and relaxing things. Also, the moment you hand over a piece of furniture that you've made with your own hands to a customer and they love it has given me some of the best moments in the job!
When designing and creating furniture, what qualities do you prioritise?
What it looks like, how it works and of course sustainability. I want to create furniture that is well-made, won’t end up in landfill, and looks fantastic and unique. I move furniture around into different places all the time in our home so it's useful for it to be able to fit into a number of room, purposes and schemes so I try to design and make with that in mind.
How do you bring your own personal touch to traditional furniture making?
I experiment with unexpected materials and finishes, and rethink proportions which challenge the eye. A lot of my designs start off as a sketch, then I make a prototype which is constantly changing as I go based on what it looks like in reality rather than a drawing done on a CAD programme. For instance, CityFarm tables have a slightly smaller frame than you might normally have on a table with rails, but that's because I wanted to add a beaded brace and exaggerate the curved corners. These details were decided by how the proportions looked to me when I was making the prototypes.
Is there anything unique about being a female cabinet maker?
I very much come at the craft from an interiors angle which of course affects what I design and how I make it. I’m not sure it’s a female thing or just a me thing though!
As a furniture maker, What makes a space truly come together when it comes to interiors?
Whatever you love and what is comfortable and useful. Your home should be your place to be yourself, express your tastes it’s your sanctuary and your place of joy, so fill it with whatever makes you happy. Having said that, I do believe that furniture that lasts is important in whatever form that takes, Vintage, antique or well-made new pieces. I pick furniture that will be someone’s elses home in a 100 year’s time not the kind that will be in landfill in 20! Our ColPop range is a perfect example,cast iron legs that’ll last forever and beautiful wood that can be easily reinvented/recycled
How would you describe your personal style when it comes to your own home?
Can you be a 'bit' of a maximalist? I love colour, traditional with a twist, antique, vintage, rustic, shiny things, gold, patterns, and different textures. I like things a little off centre, a little twisted. My husband loves mid-century, sleek lines, and symmetry. Our home is a mix of the two and we love it. All the photos you see on the website were taken in our house so Twisted Eye designs are very much what we would want and have in our own home.
What piece of furniture that you've made for your own home are you most proud of, and why?
The first cabinet I ever made which is made of Oak and Walnut. There was a moment I realised “I really can do this”. And the skills clicked into place. There was still a lot to learn, there always is but that moment, was the culmination of all the passion, training and hard work. It’s also a constant reminder of where I was and where I am now. It was the beginning of my own style and the direction I’ve chosen to go in. Also, I use it everyday as it holds all our spices and condiments in the kitchen so it was designed to be practical as well as beautiful too.
SHARON'S FAVOURITES
CITYFARM SEAT/side table
This might be my favourite piece in the whole brand. It’s a smaller take on our Cityfarm Dining Table, made with the same detail and care. Use it as a seat, side table, or lamp stand - it’s versatile, beautifully built, and it’ll last a lifetime.
COLPOP DINING TABLE
I really love this table - I’d go for Ruby Red, the way it pairs with the gold is just spot on. Who decided furniture should be brown or painted to hide the grain? This gives you the perfect mix of vibrant colour and stunning texture.
CITYFARM SOFA TABLE
This piece is so versatile. It was designed for those awkward spots beside the sofa and it’s surprisingly useful. We’ve got a prototype at home (we test everything ourselves), and honestly, we could use three. The base doubles as a shelf, which just adds that little extra something to your space.
