Based in the beautiful Bay of Islands, master craftsman boat builder Craig McInnes of CMC Design used his 30 years experience to follow his lifetime ambition of furniture design. He began with his adult furniture range – exquisite, contemporary and featuring nautical ‘bones’.
When his daughter Jesse came along, he began to search for quality handmade children’s furniture and realised there wasn’t a lot available. In response to this he developed his Hebe range – quality, unique wooden kids’ furniture that is made to last for generations.
Photograph by Jenna Young Photography
What do you make?
Unique and durable wooden children’s furniture and building blocks. Stylish upmarket adult furniture. I also do any custom creations.
How did you get into your craft?
From childhood I was always sketching new and interesting (well, I thought so) furniture designs. With 30 year boat building experience behind me I decided to follow my dream and launched my furniture ranges.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I’m a qualified boat builder
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What are your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I love working with natural materials. I especially love laminating wood into cool and unique forms. One of my hobbies is collecting antique hand tools like planes etc.
What inspires you?
The IRD! The curiosity of what my next creation will be and the Kiwi ‘can do anything’ attitude.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
I like to make REAL things with my hands that inspire and last. Furniture is my art where I have a freedom to create. I want my furniture to have a standout identity and style, that will stand the test of time.
Photographs by Jenna Young Photography
Five words that describe your mind:
Virgo, virgo, virgo, virgo, virgo. (I don’t follow star signs but have all the virgo traits – so my wife tells me!)
Describe your workspace:
Busy and varied (and dusty!). We are excited to be moving to a new workshop in March just 2 doors down from where we currently are.
Your favourite response from a customer:
Our most recent customer gave us the following feedback: “We are extremely happy with the furniture! Absolutely love, love, love it!”
Product photographs by Jenna Young Photography
What are you listening to? Ella Fitzgerald
Recommend an album: Billy Idol – Shooting Stars
Your favourite childhood book? Harry Potter didn’t exist so Janet & John .
What are you reading now? The Saturday Herald
Favourite quotes?
“Let’s blow this popsicle stand” and “Don’t panic it’s organic”.
Do you have any pets?
Work colleague and off-cut chewer Chinka the dog – and the occasional office snail.
What was the last handmade item you bought?
A New Zealand-made wooden car for my two year old daughter and a pair of Dual jeans – also New Zealand made. I always buy New Zealand made!
CMC Design are giving away a fabulous Hebe playbox worth $380! This ingenius box table has a hinged table top and a gas-lever box-top (no slammed fingers to worry about!) making it the ultimate toddler’s playbox. To be in to win, leave a comment below and we’ll draw the winner on Friday 15 March. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only.
I love this. I hadn’t seen your work before. You have a quality product that is amazing.
Toy box is fabulous and a real keepsake piece. Shame the competition was only open for a day… Might have to convince one of the grandparents to save up for one as their special birthday pressie…
Beautiful, I love it
What fantastic furniture and love the kids playbox!
We have a son in whangarei and are often up your way.
Do you have an outlet anywhere?
Or we could take a drive….Son and daughter in law would love your things!!
Cheers,
C.
Nice use of New Zealand woods. Especially like that the little stool packs away into the toy box. Good idea