At Meadows & Byrne we are so lucky to work with really wonderful designer-makers from around the country. This week the charming duo behind Sam Agus Nessa took some time out of their busy day to tell us a little bit more about their unique brand.
Sam and Nessa are both fantastically talented furniture makers and woodworkers, specialising in handmade homewares from locally sourced, Irish materials. Their skill, passion and genuinely charming personalities are reflected in each item that they make. From the most adorable chopping board called “Wally” to their “Teach” candle holder, you can tell there is a story behind every piece – which we just love!
Take a few minutes to read more about the people behind Sam Agus Nessa, their cat called Dude and their love of tea!
Where did you develop your love for woodwork and furniture making?
We were both really interested in art and design and both adored timber. So furniture encapsulated all of these passions for both of us. Sam trained and worked as a joiner in Bristol before completing his degree in furniture conservation and restoration in High Wycombe , I studied furniture design and technology in DIT before heading to High Wycombe to complete my masters in furniture design and manufacture. At one time High Wycombe was one of the largest furniture producing towns in the world and its history and knowledge kept us both there. I completed a fellowship and another masters this time in Furniture design and restoration and we meet when we where working in the same workshop and drinking lots of tea 🙂
What motivated you to put your heads together to create Sam Agus Nessa?
We loved working together on each other’s projects when we were in the UK and it just naturally progressed into a partnership – every job became our job, which was amazing because between the two of us we had such varied work. From restoration and conservation jobs with the national Trust, bespoke furniture pieces for private homes, sculptural design pieces for public spaces and design exhibitions and upcycled pieces for TV- we had so much fun! When we decided to move back home to Ireland ( well home for me- Sam is a Bristol boy ?) we kind of had to start again which was very daunting but the best thing we ever did. We set up a small furniture workshop and approaching Christmas, as we were completely broke, started making small objects from our off cuts as gifts for family and friends. We only use Irish timber and it had always seemed too terrible to burn any of the waste. And we fell in love! we loved the freedom of designing and making these lovely happy pieces and Sam Agus Nessa was born!
The Irish language seems to have a special place when it comes to naming your products, where does that love of Irish come from?
I have always loved the Irish language and have always wanted to get back into learning it so when we moved back I started again – it is a very slow process!! but it is such a beautiful language and Sam is having a great time being though by our little nieces and nephews- he is flying with his counting and rhymes? . We also think it is a lovely way to show our products are Irish but not in a twee way.
What was the first piece that you created together as “Sam Agus Nessa”?
I think it was the Teach candle holder, there was a lot of back and forth to settle on the proportions and we were so happy with the final trio.
Can you describe your day as designer-makers?
Being self-employed and in the business together means it is 24/7 – I don’t think we ever switch off but we really love it. We will be talking about work first thing in the morning, and sorting our emails over breakfast and deciding on the days plan on route to the workshop. We are always itching to get to the workshop and I love the excitement to start every day. We have a daily jobs list and it is like a carefully choreographed dance to work around each other and use the machinery without holding the other person up. Tea features heavily – give us a chance to check on progress and as we are always thinking of new designs we would like to explore it gives us the opportunity to bounce ideas back and forth during the day. We do tend to bring work home with us as well – otherwise, I do not think we would ever get to hang out with our fluffy buddy Dude – he is a great help!
What is your favourite piece from the current collection?
The counting sheep mobile, we love how it looks and feels. Our tag line has always been designed to make you smile and it always does! It also created these incredible shadows – so much fun!
What has been the highlight so far since starting “Sam Agus Nessa”?
Taking part in showcase 2019 as part of Design island with the crafts council of Ireland and winning Best Gift Award! It was just magic.
What does the future look like for Sam Agus Nessa and Dude the cat?
Busy! We are really excited to be working on our new range of gift wares and super excited to be introducing a small furniture range in early 2020 and even some Dude inspired work which he is particularly happy about 🙂
A big thank you to Sam & Nessa for taking the time to chat to us – we are even more in love with their gorgeous handmade homewares & so proud that they are available at Meadows & Byrne stores nationwide.
Browse the Sam Agus Nessa range online today >>>
https://www.meadowsandbyrne.com/sam-agus-nessa.html
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