FOUNDATIONS

The Grounding

Custance Home and Furniture was born from a deliberate shift away from the digital world toward the tangible joy of craftsmanship.

Paul built a successful career in finance, starting in traditional financial services with respected institutions like Citibank and TD after graduating from Okanagan College with a degree in Business Administration. He later transitioned into the innovative space of blockchain and distributed ledger technology, contributing to several platforms during a rewarding period of growth in that emerging field. Yet, despite the success, the work remained largely screen-bound—immersed in virtual systems for much of the day—which ultimately didn't align with how Paul wanted to live his life.

THE DESIGNER

THE DESIGNER

The Beginning

Seeking a more grounded, creative path, he made a radical decision: to pursue intensive training at the world-renowned Chippendale International School of Furniture, located just outside Edinburgh, Scotland, and named in honor of the legendary 18th-century cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale. Over nine months, Paul learned from some of Europe's finest furniture makers, mastering traditional techniques, material understanding, thoughtful design, and the principles of heirloom-quality construction. This experience provided a strong, stable foundation and reignited a deep passion for hands-on making.

Blueprint drawing on a drafting table with a metal ruler, a green pencil, a sliding T-bevel, and a triangle ruler placed on it.
A man wearing yellow noise-canceling ear protection and glasses is cutting wood with a jigsaw in a workshop. Several pieces of wood are on the table, and tools are visible in the background.
A wooden sign that reads 'The Chippendale International School of Furniture' on a workshop table with woodworking tools and furniture in the background.
A man standing next to a display of handcrafted wooden furniture in a gallery setting the the Chippendale School of Furniture, with wooden chairs and a cabinet on display.

COMING TO DISCOVER

OUR TODAY

Now established in West Kelowna in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, Paul founded Custance Home and Furniture to continue refining those skills, experimenting with better ways to craft, and creating pieces that blend timeless craftsmanship with honest materials and considered design. Every item we build is intended to become a lasting part of someone's home—functional art meant to endure for generations.

Two people embracing outdoors near a stone building during dusk, with another person standing nearby holding a phone; outdoor seating and a gravel path visible.

My journey carries deep personal meaning. My great-grandfather, Joseph Audet, traveled from Quebec City by horse to Montreal, in 1933, where he started his own furniture company. That legacy has passed through generation after generation. My family has long been involved in the furniture trade, yet I am the first to not only sell furniture, but to design, build, and sell it. I have a deep love and appreciation for how homes are furnished and put together, and for the love and craft that goes into it. I honor my heritage by returning to the craft itself while proudly building my practice in Western Canada.

We’re grateful for the path that led us here and excited to share our work with those who value intention, quality, and story through wood.

SINCERELY PAUL

SINCERELY PAUL

Black background with gray cursive text that reads "Paul Custance".