About
David Alexander MacGruer is a furniture maker from Scotland specialising in handmade hardwood furniture, with a vision for timeless design.
David originally studied at the Edinburgh College of Art before embarking on a career in the yachting industry. After a decade travelling the world, he longed for terra firma and enrolled at the Inside Passage School for Fine Cabinetmaking in Canada. In 2018, he returned to Scotland to hone his skills and set up a workshop.
It was at the school where he embraced a philosophy deeply rooted in the teachings of master craftsman James Krenov. It taught a sensitive approach to woodworking, prioritising the connection between wood, tools and the intricate details of each piece. This philosophy has become the cornerstone of his professional life, and he is dedicated to the art of fine craftsmanship.
Commission David to develop a specific piece, or select a design from the gallery to be tailored to your requirements. From freestanding furniture and fitted cabinetry to the sensitive restoration of existing pieces, every project is approached with the same commitment to material and craft.
Furniture
Cabinetry
Process
The creation of bespoke furniture is a partnership between the maker, the material, and the client. From our first conversation to the final installation in your home, here is how I approach the craft of making furniture that is built to be lived with and cherished.
1 | Dialogue to Design
Every commission begins with a dialogue. Whether you have a definitive brief or a vague concept, we start by discussing the functional requirements of the piece or project and the space it will inhabit. This stage is about understanding how the furniture will be lived with and used daily. I translate our conversation into a formal design, focusing on refinement, balance and restraint. My goal is to ensure my work has a "quiet" presence - structurally sound, but visually light enough to harmonise with its surroundings.
2 | Sourcing & Composition
Living and working in Highland Perthshire gives me access to locally sourced and imported hardwoods and veneers. I select material looking for specific grain patterns and structural integrity, taking care to ensure the wood's character aligns with the design. Before a single cut is made, I compose the piece. I look at how the grain flows across a tabletop or wraps around a cabinet corner. This approach ensures that the natural life of the tree is respected and showcased in the finished furniture.
3 | Honest Joinery & Finishes
I believe that the way a piece is built should be visible. The joinery is not just a structural necessity - it is an aesthetic detail of the work. I utilise traditional, time-tested joinery such as table breadboard ends and mortise-and-tenon joints -not just for their durability, but for their honesty. I avoid heavy industrial lacquers that mask the feel of the wood. Instead, using natural hard wax oils and traditional finishes applied by hand. This protects the timber while allowing it to breathe, ensuring the piece develops a rich patina over time.
4 | The Final Fit
Once a piece leaves my Perthshire workshop, its life truly begins. I build with the intent that these pieces will be used, touched, and cherished for generations. For fitted joinery, the process concludes with a precise installation. I ensure that the work integrates seamlessly into the architecture of your home, looking as though it was always meant to be there.
5 | Beginning a Commission
I take on a limited number of commissions each year to ensure every project receives my full attention. If you would like to discuss a bespoke piece of furniture or a fitted joinery project, please get in touch to begin the conversation.
