My interest in making tables is to illustrate beautiful mathematics. I was a research scientist in Oxford involved in projects ranging from archaeological science, fusion reactors, geography, psychiatry and radiotherapy. I continually came across amazing designs from nature and I wanted these to become part of the material culture.

No, not in the traditional sense. I was rubbish at art but I grew up in a household of art-loving and creative family members. My interests were in puzzles and patterns, folding a sheet of paper to produce novel tessellations, Islamic geometry books, etc.

My last research position involved a component of precision engineering work and I really struggled. I bought a mini-lathe and mill for the back shed to teach myself more about how things were made. My first objects produced were 3d puzzles and Sterling engines. I really loved it and decided to pursue designing and making as a business.

I usually start with an interesting mathematical geometry or periodic function. I see what happens after repeating shapes in an ordered way or make a dynamical system where a pattern emerges. The key to my designs is cropping and removal to produce a harmonious and interesting design within the limitations of working with wood.

The designing.

I enjoy the whole process. The design is the cerebral part of the table. However, every piece involves problem-solving at some stage, which I love. I find making is a very meditative activity on the whole, although there are often highs (putting on the coating to bring the marquetry to life) and lows(mistakes).

There are the greats, like Escher, Vasarely and Riley, for creating designs that are both complex and simple, and beautiful. I also love the work of algorithmic artists such as Jonathan McCabe.

I am now doing a series of rectangular coffee tables. Two designs are in preparation: a “trapped” spiral; and one based on the random close packing of ellipses (using an algorithm that was developed during my research into the dating of sedimentary sands).