Designer insights with Ben Sutton

Ben Sutton is the founder of Sutton Timber, along with his brother Tom - a company they established together back in 1984. The firm was founded after the brothers noticed a local forestry company in Ardnurmurchan, Scotland could not deal with large amounts of felled timber. They opportunistically solved the problem and Sutton Timber was born. Since then they have expanded to exporting timber to Spain, France and Germany, and even Japan. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Ben Sutton.

Designer Insights - Ben Sutton

- Transcript -

1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?

I produce beautiful solid & engineered flooring from native timber grown on well managed, environmentally sensitive estates all over Britain.

2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?

Our bespoke floors are carefully fitted to the clients requirements and specification. I make sure every detail is thoroughly scrutinised so that clients know exactly what to expect from the product they will receive ranging from where the trees grew right through the milling & kilning process to the manufacture and finally the fitting and after care of the flooring.

3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?

I admire and respect the all the artisans who take our sawn timber and create beautiful, unique furniture. These are the antiques of the future.

4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?

I live close to Norwich and its magnificent cathedral. It is truly inspiring to just sit quietly and gaze up into the vast space and try to imagine how it could be constructed without modern machinery and science to help.

5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

I have been working in forestry and sawmilling for the last 21 years and now really enjoy taking the milling process further by developing finished floors for clients homes. I can often help students with forestry dissertations or advise young furniture makers who are starting out. It is important to encourage young people and make sure they appreciate the heritage of our managed woodlands and encourage them to help protect this environment for the future.