The Way We Work
At Orpago we strongly believe in the heritage of British craftsmanship. We combine modern methods with traditional techniques in all of our work.
We make our furniture in Devon using mostly home-grown timbers (along with French Oak and American Black Walnut); selected individually for each and every project. We pride ourselves in taking all the time needed to create beautiful, timeless pieces of handcrafted furniture.
We love simplicity in design, with a strong focus on proportional balance, craftsmanship and sustainability.
Video
A question we've been asked a lot over the years!
What Does Orpago Mean?
It doesn't mean anything, but there is a story behind it...
When we were thinking of a name for the business, we had a brainstorming session with Tom's dad.
Being half Peruvian, he said... "What about Al Mano" - which means 'by hand' in Spanish.
We didn't like it, but we did like the 3 syllables and the way it rolled off the tongue.
So we played around with letters and sounds until Orpago was born.
With Tom's dad no longer here, it's lovely to think that in some way there's a part of him in our business name.
The Start
In July 2011 having signed a lease on the workshop, we packed up our belongings, left Wiltshire, and made the journey to our new workshop in the South Hams.
We hadn't yet found anywhere to live, and spent the first 8 months staying with Tom's parents in North Cornwall, making the 1hr45 commute each way, to work on commissions and set up the workshop.
Our First Show
We exhibited at several shows when we first started Orpago; this photo is from the Devon County Show back in 2012.
We bought a marquee, had a banner made, loaded up a van and took our showroom furniture for the stand.
The shows were long days but it was a great way of getting our name out there locally.
The Early Days
It didn't take long before the commissions started coming in and Tom was busy making beautiful pieces of furniture for customers all over the country.
This continues to this day, whether it's through online orders or customers who make the journey to South Devon to visit the workshop.
Our First Photoshoot
In 2015 we had our first furniture photoshoot. We found a beautiful location in South Devon and hired a brilliant photographer friend, Phil Conrad.
Our third child, Arlo, who was a couple of months old came along for the entertainment and Phil couldn't resist taking a pic of the three of us!
The Workshop
The workshop is always a hive of activity. Often with a few projects going on at any one time.
Whilst one commission is in between coats of oil and being prepped for delivery, another might be at the beginning stage of being roughed out and machined. While a third might be at the joinery, glue up or sanding stage.
Every day is different, and that's why we love it!
The Setting
We feel extremely lucky to have found this workshop back in 2011. Nestled down quiet country lanes in the South Hams countryside, it is a magical spot, and it is a privilege to be able to call it our place of work.
Our Story
How We Started (In Tom's Words)
Back in the early 2000's, I was working for a good friend (also called Tom!) and his father, who had a small business Henchman (now slightly bigger) selling their own branded gardening equipment.
We were a small team of 4, and were very lucky in that Tom's dad Mike was an experienced businessman with a wealth of knowledge that he wanted to share with us.
As a result, I learnt the in's and out's of running a small business and developed the confidence and desire to run my own one day.
In 2006, I met Caroline and we were married a year later. We dreamt about moving further South and West, to Devon, starting a small business of our own and raising our family there.
I'd always had a passion for woodwork and while working my day job for Henchman, I started a course at the local college in site carpentry and joinery. I quickly realised this wasn't the woodwork niche that I wanted to pursue - I kept asking the teachers what timber I was using and where it was from, only to be looked at like I had two heads!
Then one evening I was reading the local paper and saw an advert in there for a local furniture maker, with a picture of a beautiful table that he'd made. I remember staring at it and thinking that's it - that's what I want to do!
I pestered this maker and offered to work for free a day a week. He took me up on the offer and within a couple of months I was working for him full-time.
From day one, I loved the smell of the workshop, and the individual textures and aesthetics of the different species of timber that we were working with.
Caroline had always had a passion for interiors, having studied interior design in her twenties, and was keen for us to go into business partnership as an independent furniture making workshop.
Then in 2011, now with two young children, Caroline and I decided to take the plunge. We headed to the South Hams in Devon, found a small workshop in a beautiful rural setting (we're still here at the same workshop) and set up Orpago.
Tom Dorich
Tom loves the outdoors, salty sea, clean air and exercise.
He takes enormous pleasure from his home life with his wife Caroline, and 3 children; growing vegetables in the garden and cooking hearty, wholesome meals.
When he's not making in the workshop or at home with his family, he's likely to be running or walking the Devon trails with his dogs; or chasing a ball around a squash court.
Caroline Dorich
Caroline's happy place is with her family, friends or in cold water, whether it's the river, lake or sea!
Away from the workshop or office, Caroline is out with her dogs every day on walks in beautiful South Devon or she'll be doing Pilates, spending time in the garden or in the sea.
Some Photos of Our Workshop
Are you the type who likes seeing how things are made? Then have a look at our gallery of furniture in the making, below!
