About Tom Kealy
Tom Kealy completed his training at Parnham College under Robert Ingham in 1979. Since then he has run his own business designing and making bespoke furniture for a variety of discerning clients.
Over the past 28 years he has also undertaken work for a number of different designers, such as Wales & Wales and Illingworth & Partridge. In particular between 1990 and 2001 he regularly made furniture for John Makepeace, for much of this time as workshop manager in the Makepeace workshops at Parnham House.
Tom is also an experienced teacher, he taught at Parnham College and currently runs regular short courses at West Dean College in Sussex, www.westdean.org.uk and teaches annually at the Centre for Furniture Craftsmanship in America, www.woodschool.org
In 1980 he rebuilt his workshop, in Somerset, from a derelict barn using local materials, 10 years later he and his wife built their house next door.
Tom’s natural understanding of wood and other materials comes from his wide experience of working with wood, from forestry and timber frame building, to fine cabinet making. His work sometimes includes the use of other materials such as glass, metal or leather, as well as using willow, green wood and veneers.