Alwayne Williams redefining bedroom designs
Alwayne Williams has carved out a name for himself in the world of furniture making, with passion running through every grain of wood he touches.
A second-generation craftsman, Williams fell in love with the trade as a child, watching his father work wonders in their small workshop. Now at age 30, he is already a veteran in the industry, with years of experience etched in every curve and corner of his creations.
"From mi a grow, mi just know seh a dis mi aguh duh," he told THE STAR.
"Mi neva think bout fi duh nothing else. Mi just know seh dis woulda be my skill," said Williams, who still remembers the thrill of creating his very first piece, a humble side table crafted from leftover boards his father had laying around.
"Mi used to help mi father enuh, but di first piece mi mek by myself is when mi use di likkle piece a board dem weh him did have lef, an mi just start build di table and from deh suh mi start mek other things," he recalled.
Among three siblings, Williams is the only one who picked up his father's tools, and never looked back. Seven years ago, at just 23, he made the bold move to step out on his own and build a brand that reflected his vision and creativity.
"Mi always did love work wid mi father, but mi did wah build mi own ting, build mi own name and try some new style," said Williams who operates from Deeside, Trelawny.
Today, Williams leads a team of four workers and is renowned for his custom-built furniture, timeless pieces that merge tradition with a modern twist. While others chase trends, Williams stays true to the classic styles that first inspired him, occasionally adding high-tech upgrades that wow his customers.
"When it comes to bedroom furniture, mi can build anything yuh want," he said, adding that he even creates dressers with built-in speakers and beds with pop-up charging ports -- a stylish blend of woodwork and innovation.
"A really mi friend dem mi did start mek dem fah and mi all have a dresser wid the built-in speaker and is a thing weh people really love," he explained.
Still, the road hasn't been without bumps. Williams admitted that trust in local tradesmen has eroded over the years, with more people turning to store-bought, mass-produced options.
"True, yuh have people weh ginal people from foundation time, some people nuh wah buy from we, dem rather guh store. But weh mi sell, anuh every weh yuh can buy it. An mi feel seh furniture a sell more now than back then."
Williams warned that without new blood, the industry could face extinction.
"If di younger yute dem nuh start learn the skill it aguh dead out and dat a guh force people fi buy ready-mek furniture and di most a dem furniture deh imported mek out a bagasse and dat nuh get along wid water," he said.