Clean contemporary lines and the artisanal workmanship and attention to detail. Multi-talented, with an exacting eye for detail and balance, he is a specialist in architectural and furniture design, cabinet making and joinery.
James Mudge specializes in the design and manufacture of high quality, beautifully crafted pieces of furniture. Based at his studio in Cape Town he and a small team of highly trained artisans produce small quantities of finely made furniture using solid woods, and traditional cabinet making techniques such as Mortise and Tenons, Dovetails and Half-laps to mention a few.
There is no limit to the scale and type of projects he undertakes and to date, has made everything from small birch plywood crates to six and half metre tables for the wine farms of the Western Cape. The common thread being the clean contemporary lines and the artisanal workmanship and attention to detail.
WHO IS JAMES MUDGE?
James Mudge began his career as a youngster in his father’s furniture workshop, near Plettenberg Bay. A successful family run business known as Knysna Forest Furniture. He went on to study Architecture at the University of Cape Town, gaining a B.A.S., and a deep appreciation for considered spaces and well-thought-out furniture to fill them.
After this he spent two productive years working at the Ralph Lauren studio’s in London, designing and building shop fittings for their London and Paris stores. He then designed and built four homes for private clients, one in South Africa and three in Paris. Multi-talented, with an exacting eye for detail and balance, he is a specialist in architectural and furniture design, cabinet making and joinery.
LA MOTTE PROJECT- an ode to South African art
Working together for La Motte, with interior designer Christiaan Barnard, we created a host of new designs for their signature restaurant, dedicated to the memory of South African artist Pierneef.
Using a palette of the finest solid woods, they designed a range that explored the relationship between the raw material and the finished piece. A concept shown clearly in the seventeen metre show kitchen, made from oak logs and the monumental tree hugging tables measuring six metres in length.
TO KARA OLIVE SHED – balancing the traditional with the current contemporary look, in keeping with their ultra modern interior.Pieces were kept clean and simple on the exterior but held their traditional attention to detail and delicate interiors.
OUTSIDE TABLES-paying homage to the giants of the forests
These monuments to trees are made of “Keuring” timber. It is a valuable wood prized for its durability in extreme weather conditions. It requires no treatment whatsoever as it has a natural tannin or resin within the wood that protects it from the elements and insects. The timber is weathered and grey and because of its size, extremely rare, and stands as a monument to the giants of the forest.
WILLEM BOSHOFF COLLABORATION-a demonstration of acute skill and artisanal workmanship
This four metre solid oak table was created as collaboration with South African artist Willem Boshoff. It is finely crafted using traditional cabinet making joints, the dovetail, mortise and tenon, and Half Lap joints. These joints are so finely made that virtually no glue or screws are necessary in its construction. Willem’s words are engraved in its top.
