About Liv

I'm Liv. I design and make nature inspired wood furniture in my workshop in the beautiful Sussex countryside.

My work is usually flowing and full of curves, transforming organic forms from nature into elegant biophilic functional pieces of art. I’d love for my work to spark the calm feeling you have when sitting by the sea, by a stream against a tree, or watching rolling hills, when you’re just at home needing to connect with the world.

I love creating something that begins as a spark from a natural wonder and develops from sketches and a rough plank of wood to something that’s beautiful and useful for your home. I work in wood because of its versatility, the connection to the raw natural material and the way it pairs with my flowing designs. Specialising in wood also means I can work alone, since I’m currently a sole trader and do everything in the business myself. However my plan is to have a team of people making my designs while I continue to develop new, more exciting and ambitious projects, both in wood and other natural materials

I have always been creating things but I started making furniture and working with wood at school. It didn't bother me being the only girl in the class as I grew up with 3 big brothers and I immediately loved being able to create a beautiful object from an old pile of wood. I studied, practised and got a degree in Furniture and Product Design, and I continue to learn new skills to support my drive for creating quality unique pieces.

I have worked for various design studios including small businesses in London, Somerset and Italy. I had my own workshop for a few years and now I work in a shared workshop with other makers and lots of cool machines. I make my own creations, which has been my dream for a long time and I love it. I am always working on new products while making orders and I have lots of plans for big designs which I am excited about, so keep returning for updates as they come and follow me on social media.

‘The Big Interview’ with Liv Cornall

• Marie Hayward - Brighton Journal

• On 21st December 2019

This week for ‘The Big Interview’ the Brighton Journal spoke to Liv Cornall who has recently brought her award-winning furniture design studio to Brighton.

Liv has previously worked all over the world in various designs studios including, Italy, Sommerset and London. Now, Liv has settled in Brighton where she’s ready to start work on her nature-inspired furniture.

The Brighton Journal sat down to talk with Liv about what inspires her and what the future holds for Liv Cornall Design.

What made you want to open your studio in Brighton?

I started my business 2/3 years ago. Then I moved to Brighton to be around a creative and ambitious community to help grow my business. I have had my own workshop but am now sharing a larger workshop so I’m not on my own too much.

What made you want to create furniture?

I’ve always been creative and loved to make things. I decided to create furniture and never went back after I visited my brother’s architecture degree show and saw the furniture design projects which I found really exciting. I chose resistant materials for GCSE, although I was the only girl in the class, and even then my first coffee table was teardrop-shaped.

Why is nature such a big inspiration to your work?

My work is inspired by nature because it is so vast, varied and beautiful. We all have a connection and feel different when we are out in nature. When I’m by the sea or sitting up a tree I feel calm and while watching the details around me, images in my mind form into objects.

Do you make everything yourself?

I do make everything myself. I enjoy making anything but wood is particularly fun to work with as it’s so versatile and natural. Being a one-person business I do it all including manufacture, photography and website, but I love doing lots of different things so I’m never bored!

What are you most proud of creating?

The thing I’m most proud of is usually what I’ve most recently made! I have a short attention span so love making new designs.

What do you think the future holds for you and your studio?

I’m a designer at heart. So the plan is as I grow my business to start getting other craftspeople to make my designs, while I keep making new and increasingly exciting designs, in all sorts of materials and complexities. I have many exciting designs waiting to be ready to be made as I can’t make them myself; great centrepiece features for large spaces as well as furniture and home accessories for the home, all with nature at the heart.

Find Liv’s studio at Trafalgar House, Warehouse 9, Artex Ave, Newhaven BN9 9DD.

Feature Image: Liv Cornall © Facebook