
With a sixteenth-century middle class demanding increasingly extravagant items on which to lavish their growing wealth, Thomas Chippendale’s business designing and carving furniture was hugely successful. This documentary – first of a new series looking at British design – tracks his history and examines some of his signature pieces, with a fascinating practical look at the work that went into creating them. Unfortunately, most of the running time is taken up with extreme close-ups of his creations: a pre-existing interest in carpentry or design is certainly recommended for those scenes of experts cooing over pristine cabinet handles. Even so, his work is undeniably beautiful and still influential; if nothing else, it’ll make you feel guilty about that next trip to Ikea.
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