Meet Rory: The Story Behind Rory’s Wooden Designs

I thought for my first blog post it would be nice to share a little more about who I am, how Rory’s Wooden Designs started, and what goes on behind the craft.

At 12 years old, I built my very first wooden garden bench. At the time, it was a release from the pressures of school and gave me something creative to focus on. Looking back, that bench was really where everything began.

From there, I started making smaller wooden products from offcuts collected from local suppliers, often bringing timber home using a trailer I had built for the back of my push bike.

I simply loved making things.

By the age of 13, I had set up a small shop at the bottom of my driveway. I started selling handmade wooden products, and before long people began asking me to create bespoke pieces - from planters and animal houses to made-to-order outdoor products.

That was when I realised this was more than just a hobby, and I never looked back.

What bespoke means to me

For me, bespoke work is about far more than building a product. It’s about relationships, trust, and making sure every customer gets exactly what they want.

Every project starts with a conversation. I always listen first, discuss ideas, and understand what the customer wants from the finished product. We’ll talk through styles, materials, how it will work in the space, and what suits their budget.

 I designed and built a stylish, traditional timber decking area extending from the client’s patio doors using durable Balau hardwood, ideal for long-lasting outdoor use. Complemented by a bespoke Iroko hardwood handrail, creating a practical and elegant garden space.

No two projects are ever the same, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most. I love the variety, the problem-solving, and the challenge of creating something completely unique.

From the first meeting through to delivery, I handle everything myself. I believe that personal approach makes a huge difference and allows customers to feel involved throughout the whole process.

Working with quality timber

The timber I use always depends on the project. I regularly work with materials such as western red cedar, larch, oak, iroko, accoya, and English ash, choosing the right timber based on how the finished product will be used.

After collaborating on a practical design that maximised space, I constructed a fully insulated garden building using corrugated sheets to optimise the footprint, finished with contemporary anthracite grey aluminium bifold doors. Clad in low-maintenance Western Red Cedar and completed with full electrics, plastering, flooring, and decoration, this stylish outdoor room was ready for immediate use.

For outdoor products especially, durability and longevity are key. I’m also proud to have my own saw milling facilities, which allows me to mill locally sourced timber into useable pieces for custom projects and outdoor builds. This helps me create truly unique products using quality local timber wherever possible.

Projects I’m proud of

I honestly enjoy every project for different reasons. Each one brings its own challenges, whether that’s access, materials, design ideas, timescales, or budget.

One recent project that stands out was a bespoke handmade kitchen for an old farm cottage. The aim was to create as much storage as possible in a small space while making sure it suited the character of the building.

It involved a lot of creative thinking and adapting ideas as the project developed, which is exactly the kind of challenge I enjoy.

Proud to be personal

I’m proud to be Cornish born and bred, and I currently work across the whole of Cornwall.

 This bespoke garden building was handcrafted from start to finish, combining durable construction with rustic waney edge larch cladding, a black box-profile roof, and secure lockable doors. Fully insulated and built for year-round use, it delivers a practical, secure, and stylish outdoor space tailored to the client’s needs.

One of the most important things to me is keeping Rory’s Wooden Designs personal.

From the first conversation and site visit to building and delivering the finished product, every stage is handled by me. I believe this gives customers not only a unique experience but also complete confidence that their product is being built with time, care, and attention.

Looking ahead, I’d love to continue taking on a wide variety of projects, expand the saw milling side of the business, and widen the area I work in beyond Cornwall. But whatever comes next, one thing will stay the same - every project will remain unique, thoughtful, and personal.

If you’re thinking about a bespoke wooden product, feel free to get in touch and I’ll happily come out for a chat.

Rory.