Every successful business starts somewhere – and for Philip Clay Design, it all began in a garage.
Founder Philip Clay, who studied furniture making at Buckinghamshire New University, started out creating bespoke furniture for family and friends. As demand grew, the business moved to a barn in Bovingdon before making a proud return to High Wycombe three years ago.
For Philip, coming back wasn’t just about returning home. It was about being part of the town’s world-famous furniture-making heritage and drawing on the skills of local craftspeople who continue that tradition today.
The company has embraced modern technology, investing in advanced machinery to improve precision, while keeping skilled craftsmanship at the heart of every project. The result is beautifully made, bespoke furniture combining traditional techniques with modern innovation.
The business has also grown rapidly, expanding from just six employees to a team of 18. Philip and co-owner (and wife) Keighley have built a workplace where designers, craftspeople and technical experts work closely together, creating a strong team spirit that visitors notice as soon as they walk through the door.
Their reputation continues to grow, with work featured on Grand Designs, a spectacular four-metre walnut dining table made from a single tree, and collaborations with leading architects on prestigious projects.
Today, Philip Clay Design is proof that High Wycombe’s furniture-making legacy is alive and well – creating world-class craftsmanship, providing skilled local jobs and showing that the town’s proud manufacturing tradition still has a bright future.
Wycombe Chair Discovery Centre
This new facility, housed in a purpose-built new facility on St Mary’s Street, opened its doors to the public as part of the 2026 Chair Festival.
It has been many months in the planning and it is a landmark moment for our town and for everyone who has a stake in its furniture heritage.
High Wycombe’s chairmaking history is not just a museum piece. It is the foundation that the businesses in this area are still building on. The reputation for craft and quality that this town earned over centuries did not disappear when the factories changed shape.
It transferred into the studios, the workshops, the manufacturers and the designers who are still here, still working and most importantly still carrying it forward.
The Chair Discovery Centre gives that story a permanent home. It gives the industry a place to point to.
For opening times, search online for High Wycombe Museum Chair Discovery Centre.
