Old Forge Design Testimonials

Our Clients Know Best

I saw Rays tables at a local craft fair and fell in love with them. We contacted him and he made us a bespoke wood and resin table. Ray’s workshop was really interesting and we were involved in the process which was thoroughly enjoyable. The craftsmanship is outstanding and we are thrilled with our table, thanks a million Ray

Ruth and Terry

Old Forge Design Triggered by our love for Bonsai and Japanese Gardens and Customs we visited Japan for the Cherry Blossom season this year in March and were totally blown away. Aside from the 1000’s of photos we wanted to bring home one of the memories that stunned us most from our amazing experience. Our garden has an oriental feel with Bonsai and Japanese style arrangements and we approached Ray with a massively big ask. We were blown away with the gardens, shrines and temples and in particular the Torii gates which were scattered throughout Japan (esp Kyoto). We presented Ray with a tiny model that we brought back with us and asked if he could design, manufacture and install a life size model with Japanese signage welcoming our friends and family into the garden. Ray seized the challenge and has delivered a fantastic life sized model which totally transformed the entrance into our gardens and we are absolutely delighted with the end result. As per usual, Ray involved us throughout the entire journey and beyond. The craftsmanship, effort, professionalism, creativity, commitment and personal desire to deliver the highest end product was amazing and we are so grateful for such a fantastic piece of work. Even post manufacture/installation Ray was keen to understand if any issues or concerns were still outstanding and of course there weren’t. The design/build was extremely complex and the end end result has totally exceeded our highest expectations and we thank and commend another bespoke, custom designed Old Forge Design creation that we totally adore. Thank you … thank you!

Steve

We approached Ray to look at building four outdoor stools for us. What he delivered was well beyond our expectation. The standard of construction and finish was nothing short of stunning. His background in manufacturing and listening to what the client wants really shines through. We have no hesitation in recommending Ray’s talents, plus he’s a great guy to engage with

Gavin & Polly - Hadlow

I was advised by a friend to go to Ray, as he could work his magic and create exactly what I was looking for. I went with a problem of how to get my glass curves into a lamp with a beautiful wooden base. Ray was incredible and worked to ensure that my idea was executed with beauty and perfection. The end result is beautiful. It is crafted with superb skill and love. I am thrilled and cannot thank Ray for his time, thoughts, creative skills and love of wood.

Claire Tunbridge Wells

I had no idea that Ray made such beautiful wooden items. I saw the river tables and other beautiful things he had made at the recent Arts and Crafts event ll. I asked him to make me a small side table and am so pleased with the result. Ray invited me to his work shop to look at the different pieces of wood he had and to choose the colour of the ‘river’ for my table. He also invited me to see the first pouring of the resin. It really made me feel part of the process and was so interesting! My table is perfect and exactly what I wanted. The legs on my little table, which are also wood, have been shaped slightly. I wasn’t expecting that but it finishes the table off beautifully. I love the table and will treasure it. I have another project for the future and hope Ray will have time to make it. I highly recommend Ray’s work and really appreciate how he guided me to make the right choices for my little table.

Tessa - Kent

Ray’s precision on my garden piece was fantastic…. He was so easy to work with and knew just what I was after. He adapted my design to make the end result even better than I had imagined. We selected the wood together, agreed the layout and due to the bow in the wood set my glass panels in recessed ‘windows’ …. What a great result !!!

Dawn - Kent

We cannot stress enough how absolutely delighted we have been with the products and services received from Old Forge Design over the last 18 – 24 months .
Ray is a traditional ‘Master Craftsman’ who works hard with you through the initial customer requirements, design, templating, material selection, manufacture, installation/fitting, ongoing communications & aftercare service (if need be). The products are completely ‘bespoke’, personalised and he will help develop and nurture your initial ideas, bring in his own knowledge and experience, delivering the ‘high end’ outcomes that speak for themselves. Nothing is too much trouble and we have thoroughly enjoyed working with him through the process. The products are very much the subjects of awe, admiration and discussion whenever we have visitors
If you love wood (as we do) then you will be sincerely delighted with what Old Forge Designs can do for you to enhance and reiterate it’s inherent beauty and class.
Big thanks to Ray and Team and we are happy to recommend their services to all.

Steve - Kent

My husband has wanted a bespoke Chess board, I have looked around and never seen anything which caught my eye as much as the one I have just purchased, Its beautiful and so very well made, Such talent and care taken shows in the detail. From start to finish buying from Old Forge Design has been a pleasure but my only down side is I want a much bigger home now to accommodate the beautiful furniture made by Old Forge Design!! Thanks Ray !!

Erica - Essex

Thanks for our beautiful outdoor barrel bar. You understood our vision and worked closely with us every step, resulting in a unique piece of furniture which is probably too good for the garden! We couldn’t be happier and have received lots of positive comments from friends and family. Look forward to working with you on our next project

Vanessa - Kent

Ray is a truly talented craftsman who creates stunning and unique products. We recently purchased one of his beautiful coffee tables at a local exhibition and love it and also that it is bespoke. The table is a work of art, made of yew and green resins and very much admired.

Rachael Kent

We wanted a custom made river dining table and was totally blown away by the whole experience offered by Ray from Old Forge Design. The process from the very first email exchange, right through to delivery of our simply stunning river dining table was truly out of this world.

From the beginning it was clear that Ray has a real passion for wood and strives for perfection in every piece he creates and is a master of his craft. At different stages of the build Ray gave us options and his professional insights where we could tweak the design/layout etc which was truly amazing. My 7 year old son loved having input to make it a complete family experience,

Ray kept us updated throughout with pictures of the build which was amazing. We were so blown away by our dining table that we have already approached Ray for another piece and I am sure this won’t be the last we get from “Old Forge Design” either! You simply won’t regret approaching Ray and “Old Forge Design” for your custom piece, no matter how big or small your project is. Thank you Ray!

Mark - Kent

We thought we knew what we wanted as a centrepiece coffee table for our lounge. We were wrong. Old Forge Design’s combination of creativity and skilful craft delivered us a unique piece of furniture far more beautiful that we had envisaged and very different from anything available elsewhere.

James - Essex

We love our oak table, made very much to order with discussions on shape, colour and design all the way. A beautiful item with more meaning for us than an off the peg item

Nicky - Kent

From a wood yard visit to selecting the timber, through design, manufacture and installation we were kept involved. and the end result, WELL.........

Sue Kent

The company was asked if they could design and manufacture an LP record holder with sloping sides so that you could flip through the albums. Red resin was also requested to match the colour in the room the item was going to be used in. The results were outstanding and I am so happy with the end result. If you have a project in mind I would recommend you put your trust in these guy's.

Chris - Essex