My Style: James Mudge, furniture designer-maker

Mudge is known for his clean-lined solid wood pieces that are made using traditional cabinet-making techniques in his Cape Town studio.

sub_head_start My life sub_head_end

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I was born in Knysna and grew up in a very warm, large family environment. My parents were furniture makers who used the indigenous hardwoods of the area to make traditional furniture. A lot of what I know was learnt from them.

My childhood was enchanted. We lived simply on the edge of the Knysna forests and my folks were always around to do cool things with us, like motorbiking, horse riding and canoeing.

I always knew I'd be an entrepreneur. I spent holidays making breadboards, shoes, Christmas trees and signs (made from organically shaped bits of wood with seashells attached to them - cringe!) which I'd sell to holiday-makers.

I opened my studio in the CBD. I enjoy this part of town as it's packed with great restaurants and bars.

I'm a local at The Power and the Glory, which is owned by my friend, Adam Whiteman, as well as his next-door restaurant, Hallelujah.

sub_head_start My work sub_head_end

From an early age I'd make things in the family workshop. The foreman, Raymond, took me under his wing. I remember his constant refrain: "Watch your fingers, Jamie!" Sound advice for a six year-old with a 12-foot band saw.

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My father, Julian Mudge, made the biggest impression on me creatively. As a kid I'd accompany him to the timber auctions where he'd purchase his timber in huge logs. These were taken to the workshop and sawn into planks and kiln-dried before use. It was a very extensive process.

I get enormous pleasure from perfecting a design - from the precision of the cut to the smooth, finished product - and enjoy the knowledge that the designs I create are strong enough to last as long, if not longer, than the time it took for the timber to grow.

My favourite self-designed items are my Pick Up Sticks and Log servers and my Queen Anne chest of drawers. All three pieces reflect the essence of what I try to achieve as a designer.

When people talk about design trends my eyes roll back in my head and I feel sick. I mean, who the hell wants to be trendy any more?

sub_head_start My home and style sub_head_end

My house is divided into three apartments. My brother, Teddy, and his wife live next door and the "girls", Emma, Clare and Sarah, live downstairs. It's a great arrangement - a bit like Friends.

My favourite travel destination is the Kruger National Park. I love the simplicity of the camp sites and the gentle activities of bird-watching, game drives and braaiing with friends.

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My decor style is simple and elegant with a few sentimental pieces from my antiques collection.

If I can get away for the weekend I love to ride my 1984 XT600 Tenere with Teddy and my friend Carl Wessel. We often head out to the lesser known trails of the Klein Karoo.

I collect contemporary South African art. Both my sisters, Rosie Mudge and Lucinda Duncan, are artists so I go to the exhibitions they recommend. I also collect antique lamps. Gitte Moller makes strange, otherworldly paintings which I am very drawn to. I also admire the work of Michele Mathison, whose dynamic steel sculptures are hugely thought-provoking.

My favourite shopping spots include Pezula Interiors, just off Bree Street, which has a large selection of sophisticated home stuff. Tonic Design in Joburg has great furniture and Loading Bay in De Waterkant stocks really cool clothing.

If I was reborn as a piece of furniture, I'd be a grandfather clock.

Visit jamesmudge.com.