Beautifully Made British Furniture
Foris was started in 2023 by Thom O’Nions, Josey Garbutt, and Krav Metcalfe, three makers who met at the Rycotewood Furniture School in Oxford. We specialise in bespoke, handcrafted pieces that combine British furniture making traditions with a contemporary design approach.
From our workshop in Oxfordshire, we design and build furniture that’s made to last, not just in how it’s built, but in how it fits into people’s lives. By using British-grown, renewable hardwood from well-managed forestry practices, we ensure each item’s ecological footprint is minimised.
We don’t think of our work as a return to the past, but as part of an ongoing story. A contribution to the lineage of British furniture making, shaped by the tools and values of our own time.
Image courtesy of Gabriel Hemery.
From Idea to Object
Foris offers bespoke furniture design services for private clients and select designers. Whether it’s a custom dining table, an intricately designed cabinet, or an entire suite of matching furniture, we collaborate closely with each client to bring their vision to life.
If there is anything you would like to discuss, we would love to hear from you. Every piece begins with a conversation. As passionate designers and makers, we relish the opportunity to take on a variety of briefs, to suit a range of budgets.
Located at the Sylva Wood Centre near Oxford, Foris Studio welcomes visitors by appointment.
Our Commitment to Woodland Culture
We are passionate believers in wood as a sustainable resource. Foris began in the business incubation program of The Sylva Wood Centre; as a result, our values closely align with their vision of nurturing a wood culture in the UK.
The sustainable planting and management of forests is at the heart of this vision, and it is something we actively engage with and promote throughout our work. Furthermore, we are members of Woodland Heritage another organisation doing fantastic work around the interconnectivity between people and wood.
Our Designers and Makers
Thom O'Nions
Thom began his career in the art world after completing an MFA in Curating from Goldsmiths, University of London. He spent years curating exhibitions and projects for museums, art fairs, and galleries in London and New York, working alongside acclaimed artists and developing a reputation for fostering emerging talent. In 2020, he shifted focus to study fine furniture making at Rycotewood Furniture Centre in Oxford, drawn to a more hands-on creative practice. In 2023, he co-founded Foris, where he now channels his design expertise into crafting distinctive, furniture with a keen eye for form.
Krav Metcalfe
Krav brings a unique perspective to materials, gaining early recognition in 2022 with the Young Furniture Makers Textiles Award for his Cochise Chair, a piece that skilfully integrates textiles into its design. With a foundation in furniture making, he has developed a style focused on subtle detailing and durability. In 2023, he co-founded Foris with Thom and Josey, adding his expertise to a team dedicated to creating furniture of exceptionally high quality.
Josey Garbutt
Josey’s woodworking journey started early—by his teens, he was building in his own workshop. He pursued formal training with an Art Foundation at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, then earned a BA in Furniture Design from Rycotewood. Committed to using locally sourced timber, his work has earned him awards including Best in Show at the Young Furniture Makers exhibition for his interactive ‘Lines Puzzle Cabinet.’ In 2023, Josey co-founded Foris, where his innovative, problem solving approach shapes furniture that combines craftsmanship with personality.