An Indian style 'Madras' table, inspired by the aesthetic of a woman’s sari. The piece was challenging because it looks like it’s been woven from cloth. It was very difficult, but I was delighted and satisfied by the achievement.

Nature provides endless motifs – trees, bamboo, flowers. I love natural shapes and textures. Painting and art also get me to research and try new things. Finally, I find inspiration in working to highlight the versatility of straw marquetry.

Because there’s so much possibility for innovation. We can combine different materials with the straw – glass, pewter, metal – opening new creative paths. We recently did a piece with straw covered in gold leaf, something we’d never done before.

Straw marquetry is true marquetry, meaning that every single piece must be inlaid onto the surface of the supporting material, edge to edge. The artistic technique involves creating light reflections from the way in which the pieces are laid.