Peter Leonard Bailey

Peter Leonard Bailey is a talented designer and builder of furniture.

In his youth he undertook professional training in York and at Wolverhampton, expanding his skills in design, sculpture, painting, woodwork and metalwork

As a boy, Peter became aware of the work of several craftsmen in Yorkshire, England. In his youth he undertook professional training in York and at Wolverhampton, expanding his skills in design, sculpture, painting, woodwork and metalwork. Over the past fifty years, Peter's experience has grown to qualify him as a craftsman with rare ability. His skills are demonstrated in the objects produced at his workshop in Errington on Vancouver Island.

Peter Bailey's furniture is unique and reflects his distinctive style. Each component of every piece if finely crafted by hand. No short cuts are taken. The quality of the work is outstanding throughout.

The furniture pieces are made of solid wood, typically mahogany, white oak, teak and yew. The natural grain and colour of the wood enhances the lines of each piece. Strength and durability are pervasive qualities, which do not detract from the simple elegance of Peter's work. Anything produced by him bears an unmistakable identity.

Attention to detail is a characteristic of the furniture and quite evident when we examine things like surfaces which are finished smoothly and left with a burnished patina. Similarly, hardware is carefully selected or manufactured especially to suit. Decoration is used sparingly, perhaps a simple chamfer or an incised phrase or motif. Joinery is accurately made and often exposed, like the through dovetails on boxes and the wedged tenons on frameworks.

Many pieces of the artist’s work may be viewed at his shop in Errington. You are always welcome to visit, watch work in progress, or take time to discuss with the artist a piece that might be made for you.