Designing Furniture In Taiwan

I had been a designer of furniture for many years

. I changed my direction 20 years ago.

I had become involved in selling flat packed simple furniture to the American market. At that time it was all made in Taiwan. Very cleverly by the use of stains, and using rubber wood and also man made boards , the factories there, were churning out, cheap pieces of furniture, that tried to look like antiques. These were aimed at the American house wife, who wanted a bit of England in her home, but did not want to pay for it.

Our market was middle to lower,and quite clearly, our furniture could grace any home or trailer, in a trailer park. The basis of all the items selling, was their price first, the style came second. The price was very low, basically as the workers who produced the furniture, worked for very low wages. At this time Taiwan was starting to change from low tech to high tech, but a lot of its economy was based on low manual wages. Because of my knowledge, A large chain store in England, asked if I would design a range of furniture ,including dining tables, coffee table, and pine wardrobes.

I went to Taiwan to actually do the designing, simply because I had to understand their methods of production. I was gradually accepted into their society, as an equal I must add, an equal and co worker. It was hard going, but also enjoyable I made many friends there. I had to try and make interesting grain effects, that were printed on to boards so it looked like it was done by a craftsman . We used rubber wood legs and rubber wood for any parts that need strength the pine wardrobes had rubber wood styles and rails and printed panels.

It was great fun but also hard work, my farmhouse tables and pine wardrobes were soon packed tight in containers and being shipped to England. So many were shipped that I felt every house in the UK must have a pine wardrobe in every bedroom, and the evening meal was served up on a farmhouse table.

by: Michael Hughes

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