Ash & Plumb is the creative partnership of Barnaby Ash and Dru Plumb. They met while working in the fashion industry—Barnaby as a men’s fashion editor and Dru in PR, marketing, and events. Seeking a more hands-on creative path, in 2020 they left their careers and moved to Dru’s home country of Australia, immersing themselves in the landscapes of the southern hemisphere while exploring new creative possibilities. However, it was when back in the UK that Barnaby discovered his talent for woodturning and together they evolved the signature aesthetic that is now finding global appreciation.

Their artistic practice is deeply rooted in research, drawing inspiration from historical forms—ranging from Neolithic pottery and Greek and Roman wine vessels to 17th-century bronzes. By reinterpreting these through contemporary craft, they are breathing new life into the ancient.

Each vessel is hand-turned and shaped from a single piece of sustainably sourced, unseasoned oak, allowing the organic characteristics of the material to shape the final form. One of their signature finishes is smoke patina, a way of selectively scorching the surface with fire before removing loose particles and revealing the texture of the natural grain beneath. Vessels are then polished and rinsed in a natural lime wash that reacts with the oak’s tannins to create a rich amber hue that contrasts with the blackened surface. They are then buffed and waxed before being given a thorough burnishing with a very stiff brush to create a rich textured surface. Another signature of Ash & Plumb’s work is the way that natural fissures and imperfections are highlighted through their ‘repair’ with waxed cotton stitchwork.

In 2022, Barnaby was awarded the QEST x Turners’ Company of London scholarship, a pivotal moment that further deepened his expertise in the craft. In just five years, they have built up an impressive list of achievements including exhibitions, awards, special commissions and press. In 2024, they enjoyed showcases at Collect Open, the Eye of the Collector and Homo Faber – and their work was acquired for the first time by a museum, National Museums of Scotland. In 2025, they featured in the inaugural Dovetail New York edition; the first Downtown Design Riyadh event; and showed their work at PAD through the Sarah Myerscough gallery.