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<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce I got through my apprenticeship I found I wasn\u2019t as fulfilled as I thought I might have been, and music has always been a great love of mine. So that was the point I changed paths,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Feeling lost, Ross took time off to backpack across the United States, hoping to find inspiration again. He visited music landmarks across the \u201cBlues Highway\u201d, going on a deep dive into traditional American blues and folk he was so drawn to.<\/p>\n
Here, he rekindled his love of music, and came back to Victoria to study a Bachelor of Music and Performance Improvisation.<\/p>\n
But towards the end of his music degree, Ross realised he missed the practicality of working with his hands and being outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing in a music degree demanded a lot of time to practise and being inside, and naturally that\u2019s not part of my being.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to reassess again what my career path would be.\u201d<\/p>\n
After finishing his degree, Ross went travelling in Europe where the ethos of Ross Thompson Furniture came to life.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, now I had the trade background of working with my hands for a couple years and was quite skilled in that area, but then I also had the background from my music degree that was quite artistic and creative,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was starting to realise what you could communicate through art and design, and music and creativity and expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cEurope solidified that there is a career path; that you can make those two traits come together through furniture design.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has a high practicality and it can also have a really high artistic merit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Returning home, the then 25-year-old moved to the Surf Coast and started his business with a newfound fervour.<\/p>\n
Four years on, Ross\u2019 vision for furniture design remains the same; making quality pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship and artistic design.<\/p>\n
He designs and builds customised furniture to last, with a style inspired by both modern minimalism and the art nouveau heirlooms he admired during his time in Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think a lot of people have lost what it is to have a piece of work that will last generations and it will never date; it\u2019s always timeless work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf you look back through especially Art Deco, a lot of those works can translate back into the market today and they will not look out of place, so there\u2019s a lot to be said of that, I think, in both material and design, that I try to reference in my style.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very much a blend of that traditionalism, in craftsmanship and design. But also updating things and slightly tweaking things to make it a bit more relevant to how we live our lives and how we interact and relate today.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross\u2019 pieces are made to become a part of his customers\u2019 stories: a kitchen table for families to gather around, a chair to be passed down generations.<\/p>\n This depth of story is also reflected in his careful choice of materials. Ross uses a number of different types of timber and veneer in his work, from Australian blackwood, American walnut and oak to hydro wood sourced from beneath Lake Pieman in Tasmania.<\/p>\n His focus is sustainable, durable and artistic materials that will become a part of the story and contribute to the striking artistic style he is known for.<\/p>\n Reflecting on the next 10 years, Ross\u2019s vision is humble but sure, to keep making quality furniture, and settle down on a block of land with a veggie patch.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want anything too flash, I just want a comfortable time where I can spend half my time in the garden and half my time on furniture, that\u2019s the ultimate goal, but I\u2019ve got a bit of time before I get there, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross Thompson Furniture can be ordered or commissioned by contacting Ross at rossthompson.com.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The fine craftsmanship of Ross Thompson Furniture formulates into modern and minimalist designs that can easily be the centrepiece of a room. You can see that each design carries something unique \u2013 a certain heart and soul that maker Ross Thompson injects into his work; the design, smooth timber finish, to joinery techniques, colours and […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/In-Article-Picture-26.png\")