Liberon partners with Robinson House Studio for furniture-making student competition

Liberon Finishing Oil has been put to the test by learners at the prestigious Robinson House Studio furniture school in East Sussex

L-R: Winner Piers Reid and runner-up Will Franklin with the cabinets they made

Robinson House Studio introduced a competitive element to a finishing course for seven learners, tasking each of them with producing a wall cabinet. Each cabinet had to measure 65 x 40cm and feature two doors. Learners were also encouraged to incorporate laser-cut veneer or another decorative pattern.

Once completed, the cabinets were finished using Liberon’s Finishing Oil and judged by Robinson House Studio staff to determine a winner and runner-up.

Theo Cook, Vice Principal and Senior Tutor at the furniture school, said: “This project is one of the most challenging for students and provides a valuable test of a wide range of skills in addition to the finishing element. These include veneering, lipping, hinge fitting, carcass construction and the production of back panels.

“The project provides a strong foundation for students, enabling them to scale up to larger furniture carcasses in the future. We find that Liberon’s Finishing Oil is an excellent all-round product that is easy to apply for both professionals and beginners.”

Close-up of the winning cabinet

The winning design, created by Piers Reid, was produced to an exceptionally high standard and demonstrated an impressive level of skill. The use of a laser cutter to create a compass design on both the inside and outside of the doors was particularly noteworthy.

Runner-up Will Franklin also completed his cabinet to a very high standard. Although more understated in appearance, it featured a hand-cut starburst veneer pattern on the back of the doors. This is an extremely challenging technique and was executed with great precision and craftsmanship.

Both students are enrolled on a 50-week course at Robinson House Studio, during which they receive extensive training in furniture finishing techniques.

Richard Bradley, UK Head of Marketing at Liberon, said: “Congratulations to Piers and to our runner-up, Will. Their cabinet designs showcase the beautiful effects that can be achieved using our Finishing Oil. The students have produced work of which they can be extremely proud.”

The cabinets were judged by staff at the school. The winner and runner-up each received a £50 Amazon voucher provided by Liberon, while the overall winner was also presented with a bundle of Liberon woodcare products.

Liberon is renowned for its range of woodcare products, including dyes, waxes, oils and varnishes. The company also offers a comprehensive selection of wood preparation and repair solutions designed to help users achieve professional-quality results and maintain them over time. All products feature colour-coded packaging, making it easy for customers to identify the right solution in-store.

For further information about Liberon and its extensive range of woodcare products, visit www.liberon.co.uk. To find out more about Robinson House Studio, see www.marcfish.co.uk.