Theo Silkstone: From Oxford Patent Attorney to Furniture Designer

How does someone leave a career as a patent attorney to become a furniture maker?

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with furniture designer and maker Theo Silkstone to explore his unconventional journey from studying Material Science at Oxford to building sculptural furniture inspired by nature.

Theo shares how renovating a cottage during lockdown changed the direction of his life, why a fallen oak tree became the catalyst for a new career and how traditional cabinet making at Rycotewood shaped his approach to craftsmanship.

They discuss furniture design, woodworking, cabinet making, sculptural furniture, creative careers, sustainable timber, material science, AI in furniture design, marketing for makers and the realities of running a creative business.

Key Topics Covered

✦ Theo's journey from Oxford to furniture making

✦ Leaving a career in patent law

✦ How a fallen oak tree changed everything

✦ Learning cabinet making at Rycotewood

✦ Designing sculptural furniture

✦ Functional art and furniture design

✦ Working with oak, ash, metal and Jesmonite