Youri Gonard saws, sands, cuts and chops, slices, carves and notches wood to present us with original creations.
 
This independent cabinetmaker, based in Blonay (VD), recovers old wood, lonely planks, table legs or old carcasses of abandoned furniture. While letting himself be led by what these elements or the project inspire, he then transforms them to create new, unique pieces of furniture.
 
He also enjoys creating and working with solid wood, and mainly uses natural finishing products.
The idea is to raise awareness, through a creative approach, of people's interest in furniture that is out of the ordinary, locally produced,  and to sometimes think before rushing to the garbage dump with one's heirloom furniture!
 
The artist thus proposes a new way of thinking about furniture.
This lover of materials and living things invites us to taste and rediscover that wood is a source of inspiration, that it is a noble material, a witness to the past and to the beauty of the world.
 
Aside from his craft, Youri happily switches from wood chisels to paintbrushes. The result is an abstract, balanced body of work inspired by his influence as a builder.
 

Main projects:
creation of bespoke furniture such as solid wood tables and benches, cupboards, kitchens, TV cabinets, sidboards, bookcases, attic fittings, bespoke creations, etc....
Renovation work, restoration of antique furniture, parquet laying...

preferred materials:
Solid wood such as oak, ash, cherry, elm, walnut, plane, larch...
solid 3-ply panels
mdf panels (valchromat)
natural oil for furniture finishing