Chapman dabbled in furniture making from the age of six, when his father set up a small work bench next to his own.

Encouraged by the reaction of friends and family to his creations, he decided in 1999 to follow his passion and make a career as a furniture Designer & Maker. In this short period, he has won a number of national accolades for his work and built up a reputation amongst lovers of fine furniture. Chapman won the major prizes at the Australian Furniture of the Year Awards in 2003 for his Barcelona Dining Suite including ‘Excellence in Dining Furniture’ and ‘Best of the Best’.

The awards raised his profile and also his commitment to rally interest in Australian furniture as an art form and expression of individual style. “I know that there is a group of people who appreciate and like to surround themselves with finely crafted, beautifully made objects. I am not driven by fashion or trends or what the market wants me to make. I have found my own style and have immense satisfaction creating it”.

Chapman feels people are moving away from mass produced, short lived furniture and believes that there is a growing appreciation of furniture that is crafted with a ‘soul’. He likens his Barcelona Dining Suite to art rather than to a piece of furniture. In a Barcelona sculpted chair it is easy to agree that art and functionality are both represented.

As to the future, Chapman plans to continue to make the ‘antiques of tomorrow’ for the people who will treasure them. “I love the idea that long after I have gone, this furniture will still be admired and enjoyed by another generation yet to be born”.