Atelier Gawa is a fine furniture studio in Bristol
We are Mark and Clémentine. We design and make beautiful, meaningful furniture for people who value thoughtful design, careful craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The Name
The name holds both of us. “Atelier” is French, Clémentine is from France, and is an old word for an artist’s workshop, a place where ideas are tested and made. “Gawa” is the Filipino word for making or creation, and comes from Mark’s Filipino side. Put together, they say something about what we do and where we come from. A workshop where things are made with care.
How it started
In 2020, we bought our first house: a converted Victorian school, beautiful and far from standard. Nothing off the shelf quite fit, so Mark began making the furniture the house needed and Clémentine wanted, pieces built to measure, for our home and the way we lived. Making those first pieces together was hard work, but deeply rewarding, and before long we wanted to do more of it.
The team
Mark trained in fine furniture making at the Williams & Cleal Furniture School in Somerset. Clémentine, a trained and opinionated project manager, gets involved in the designs and makes sure everything happens to plan.
How we work
We work carefully, and by hand. That's a choice, not a limitation. It's how we make things well, and it's how we show we care about what we make. We choose our materials knowingly and we build things to last. We work with you so that our pieces make your home and you like better.
How it feels
We know we've got it right when a piece does its job, looks good, and feels like it belongs. Something you're glad to own. Something you are gladder still to live with. If that's the kind of furniture you're after, we'd love to hear what you have in mind.