Autonom Bois wood craftsmanship and excellence

Take a behind-the-scenes look at a cabinetmaker’s workshop, a place where wood comes to life in the craftsman’s expert hands. Explore this creative space where tradition meets modernity to fashion unique, functional pieces. Between the smell of wood shavings and the precise gestures of the plane, discover the secrets of this craft rich in know-how and passion.

Could you briefly introduce yourself?

My name is Emmanuel Vanderhaeghe. After completing a general baccalaureate, I decided to switch to a manual trade. At the age of 20, I enrolled at “La Bonne Graine” cabinetmaking school in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. As soon as I graduated, I was hired on an open-ended contract at Hubert Weinzierl’s cabinetmaking workshop in Fontenay-sous-Bois, specializing in prototypes and small production runs of art furniture, with partners such as Galerie Kreo, Quadratto, Ecart International, Toluca Editions and Ymer&Malta. At Hubert Weinzierl, a great team welcomed, trained and supported me for 18 wonderful years; then my boss decided to retire at the end of 2021. So I decided to set up on my own as a sole trader, and in October 2022 I’m going to open a store in downtown Villedieu-les-Poêles at 23 rue Carnot, called Autonom Bois.

What does your job involve?

I’m a cabinetmaker. He’s a craftsman specializing in the manufacture of high-quality wooden furniture. This profession requires a high level of skill in handling wood, and includes the design, construction and finishing of bespoke or limited-edition furniture. Cabinetmakers often use traditional techniques such as solid woodworking, veneering, carving and polishing to create unique and durable pieces. Their expertise enables them to transform raw materials into furniture, combining functionality, aesthetics and high-level craftsmanship.

What specific techniques do you use?

I work with solid wood to create solid, durable furniture. Cabinetmakers use tools such as saws, planes and chisels to cut and shape wood to design specifications. I finish with carving, which involves cutting or sculpting wood to create decorative details or intricate shapes. This technique can be used to add decorative elements such as floral motifs, relief carvings or hand-carved ornaments to furniture.

Wood is much more than just a material.

Each piece I create is an expression of my passion for this art, where perfection lies in every detail shaped by my hands.

Emmanuel Vanderhaeghe

What kind of creations do you usually make?

I mainly make made-to-measure furniture for private customers and artistic creations in wood on request.

Where can we find you?

You can find me in my boutique at 23 rue Carnot in Villedieu-Les-Poêles. My workshop is reminiscent of the workshops of our ancestors, combining traditional skills with contemporary techniques to create one-of-a-kind pieces. It’s in this store that I welcome my customers for requests to create bespoke furniture, as well as to exhibit and sell quality small wooden furniture and objects.