Gavin, a former furniture maker, first imagined a chair‑shaped bonsai as a child. After battling Klippel‑Feil syndrome, he refined the idea into a hands‑on practice of guiding trees into functional forms.

In 2006, Gavin and Alice launched Full Grown in Derbyshire. Their early experiments, spanning willow, oak and ash, culminated in 2012 with the first chairs, lamps and other prototypes after years of trial and patience.

Today the orchard houses a few dozen living pieces, including stools, benches and an emerging chandelier. The duo credits decades of learning, noting the craft takes 12‑13 years per generation, far longer than their initial two‑year estimate.

Full Grown’s work illustrates how botanical growth can replace conventional manufacturing, offering lightweight, biodegradable furniture that evolves over time. The project stands as a tangible example of sustainable design and long‑term material thinking.