furniture school
Next date: Nov. 2026. An introduction to hand tools and furniture making, our One Week Taster course is an ideal try before you buy into a longer course. No previous experience is required, just plenty of enthusiasm. These courses book fast! 5 students per class maximum.
Next date: 26th – 30th Oct. 2026. 5-day Design Course – with internationally recognised designer and maker Marc Fish. This will take students through Marc’s approach to designing original furniture and sculptural work.
Next Course: 7th-11th Dec. 2026. In this fun and informative workshop, students learn to transform thin veneers into flowing, three-dimensional forms that balance structure with delicacy. Cost: £995.00
Next Date: 12th – 17th April 2027. During this six day course, you’ll explore the intricacies of the Japanese dovetail joint, learning how this beautiful and highly refined piece of joinery is designed, constructed, and executed by hand.
You’ll be guided by Theo Cook, who has spent many years developing and mastering this distinctive joint.
This one year course is aimed at those who are looking to commit to a change in their life.
This course has been SCQF Level 8 credit-rated by Qualifications Scotland, opening more opportunities for students wishing to study furniture design and making and leave with an internationally recognised qualification.
Do you wonder if you have the creativity and the ambition to run your own business? We’ll teach you everything you need to know, right from the beginning.
Cost £24,000. £6,000 deposit to secure your place.
Next courses: 10th – 11th Oct. 2026, 27th and 28th Feb. 2027.
An ideal course for anyone who wants to learn more about finishing techniques and get some practical, hands-on experience. Cost: £350. Tutor: Marc Fish.
Next course: Oct. 24th & 25th, 2026 + Feb. 6th & 7th, 2027.
This course provides hands-on experience of the sophisticated techniques used in the composites industry.
Cost £540. Tutor: Theo Cook.
Next course: 14th & 15th Nov. 2026 | 20th & 21st March 2027. Ideal if you want to know more about the mark of a master craftsman – the dovetail joint! When well-executed it is the epitome of high-level work. Cost: £350.
Next course: 5th & 6th Dec. 2026 and 29th & 30th May 2027.
Experience these amazing techniques and take your work to a different level! As laminating is more accurate than steam bending, it is ideal for combining sculptural work with fine cabinet making.
Cost: £350. Tutor: Marc Fish.
Next course: 14th May 2027.
A one day course on French polishing with shellac, run by Derek Jones, once editor of Furniture & Cabinetmaking magazine and author of French Polishing, Finishing & Restoring Using Traditional Techniques.
Cost £150.
Next course: 17th July 2027.
Steam bending is an ancient woodworking process which is found on every continent.
Charlie is the UK’s leading steam bending expert; his work is sold internationally and can be found in museums, private residences and commercial premises.
Cost: £240 – 1 day.
Next date: Early 2027 TBC.
If you’re looking to expand your machine woodworking skills, our 5-day hands-on wooden stool making course is for you.
£850.
Next course: TBA.
Learn how to make a wooden plane. This will involve skills such as band-sawing, routing, drilling, shaping with a spokeshave, sanding and finishing. A 3 day course. Cost: £595. Tutor: Theo Cook.
Next course: dates TBA.
Covering hand tools, there will be practical sessions on planing, sawing and chiseling – forming the ideal starting point for cutting and fitting accurate joints.
Cost: TBA. Tutor: Theo Cook.
Next course: date TBA.
Learn how to make your own jigs and templates at this one-day course with senior tutor and master craftsman, Theo Cook.
The course covers making jigs by hand as well as the use of CAD programs, laser-cutter, and a CNC router. Cost: TBC.
Next course: date TBA.
This one-day introductory course is designed to help attendees understand and apply different approaches to veneering.
A one day course.
Next course: dates TBA. The spindle moulder is a versatile machine – we cover safe use and setup, rebating, shaping, using formers, tenons, power feeds, jig making, and guarding.
Cost: £350. Tutor: Derek Jones.
Next course: date TBA.
For either a beginner or an intermediate. If you’ve invested in new machines and want to know how to safely use or set them up, on this two day course you can learn from the professionals! Cost: £350. Tutor: Marc Fish.
We are proud to announce our course has been SCQF credit-rated by Qualifications Scotland. robinson house studio‘s popular 50 Week Furniture Design and Makers’ course qualification opens more opportunities for students wishing to study furniture design and making. Completion of
Next course: dates TBA.
This three day course takes you through completing a three-legged stool. Using through-tenoned construction (now known as “staked”construction) is a skill worth learning for any furniture maker. Three legs instead of four means the stool will never wobble, no matter what floor it’s sitting on, the mortise layout is simple, and, of course, there’s one less leg to make!
Cost: £350. Tutor: Derek Jones.
Next course dates TBA. Japanese style joinery can be extremely complicated but there are occasions when simplicity and function come together to make the perfect form.
Cost: £350. Tutor: Derek Jones.
Next course dates TBA.
The six board chest is a design that is almost as old as the concept of furniture itself and is as relevant today as it has ever been.
Cost: £350. Tutor: Derek Jones.
Theo often shares his work and passion for woodworking on YouTube and has amassed a significant following over the years. Here we share with you some of his best videos with a short introduction to each.