An eye for detail

With an keen eye and shared passion for design, we catch up with Stuart Bowman-Harris, founder of Good Life Joinery.

Good Life Joinery, since moving to a new workshop in 2016, has gone from strength to strength. Catching up with the founder of this successful oak framing and joinery firm, Stuart Bowman-Haris at his busy workshop just outside Camelford, we can see a clear mix of modern and traditional styles being crafted.

From sleek kitchens with stainless steel worktops, to a very large oak staircase, we ask Stuart what inspires the team in their creations. He tells us:

“I believe the main ingredient in good design is simplicity. The first thing I ask before designing an item, whether it’s a large oak-framed garden room or a piece of furniture, is how the customer wants to use it.

“I have a small but very experienced workforce and we all agree with the principle that form follows function. Also, we’re absolutely passionate about what we’re doing – we love wood and making things out of it! Whatever it is that a craftsperson makes, if they love what they’re doing and believe in it, their love and belief shines through the final product. Something that’s made on a robotic production line just doesn’t have the same feel.”

The team are obviously doing something right as, in 2017 they picked up a fantastic award from the Local Authority Building Control for ‘Best Change of Use for an Existing Building’. This was given for Good Life’s work on Hinterland House, a stunning holiday home just 11 miles from Bude.

Stuart tells us: “We were, of course, delighted and totally surprised by the win. It’s always a great feeling to get praise for a good piece of work. We were nominated for this award, so it came completely out of the blue. To be shortlisted was amazing, and to actually win was just fantastic!”

The professional team also designs and makes kitchens, staircases and furniture, so if your home could do with an update but you’re not sure where to turn; with an impressive past few years and a promising year ahead, perhaps Good Life Joinery can be of assistance?

MEET THE TEAM

Meet the Good Life Joinery team at the Cornwall Home and Lifestyle Show.