I kid you not, we have been trying to run a story about furniture designer and maker Vincent Conboy of Cenzo for more than two years. What can I say… he’s a hard man to pin down!
The thing about Vince is he’s all about the craft, and not particularly fussed about publicity and hype. So let that be a lesson – if you really want to get on The Design Files… you should pretty much ignore us for two years. We will not give up!
A chair by Vincent. ‘I’m really into weaving Danish paper cord, It adds a beautiful texture and is so comfortable, and ages gracefully over time,’ he tells. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.
‘I’m forever taking inspiration from The Greats, and focusing on traditional techniques whilst adding my own modern flavour,’ he explains. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.
The maker is inspired that more and more people are understanding how important it is to be purchasing something that is going to last generations and not just a season. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.
Vincent shares the workshop with Sean Millard, and they both feel super lucky to spend their days here. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.
‘It’s been a lot of self-training and personal study, constantly designing and refining designs,’ reflects Vincent. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.
‘I’m always looking forward to that next bright-spark moment, when you figure out a new technique or how to improve on an old one.’ – Vince Conboy.
Growing up in a home his father built, Vince Conboy of Cenzo has always been interested in design, furniture and architecture. The talented designer/maker is largely self-taught, and credits his intuitive sense of craftmanship to his family, in particular his father. ‘My family is very hands on’ he says. ‘My Dad studied furniture design so we’ve always bounced ideas and techniques off each other’.
In fact though, Vince’s path to furniture design has been a little meandering. After working in hospitality for over a decade, he decided to open his own cafe with a friend. ‘The best bit by far was the fit-out’ he recalls. ‘Having full rein on the design, aesthetics, and build was the gateway to an unstoppable fascination with interiors and furniture’.
With a distinctly minimalist, timeless yet modern sensibility, Vince takes his inspiration from ‘The Greats’ and is obsessed with perfecting traditional techniques. Recently, he’s been weaving Danish paper cord into his seating – ‘it adds a beautiful texture and is so comfortable and ages gracefully over time,’ he says. Steam bending is another old-fashioned skill the designer has worked hard to perfect. ‘It’s been a long process trying to get it right, but each level of advancement is super rewarding,’ he adds.
Based in a studio in Reservoir, Vince is pretty chuffed to be living out his passion, and working with his hands each day. ‘I have my own workshop which I share with my mate Sean Millard,’ he tells. ‘The space is very inspiring and we both feel super lucky that we have this to come to every day. I know how hard it is starting out in this field, finding a suitable space to work from, setting it up and gaining clients. I’ve got to pinch my self at times.’
