In the world of high-end furniture design, where craftsmanship meets creativity, Dieter Ingles of Dietzwood is carving out his own niche. This New Zealand-based designer-maker has navigated a unique path from the decks of luxury yachts to the workshop floor, where he now crafts bespoke pieces that showcase his passion for timber and design.

Ingles' journey began in the prestigious halls of Alloy Yachts, a renowned superyacht builder in Auckland. "I got into this industry straight out of school," he recalls. "I did an apprenticeship for a revered super yacht building company in New Zealand – it was really good and learned a hell of a lot from people who had really high expectations”.

This apprenticeship was no ordinary training ground. Ingles was immersed in a world of precision and luxury, working on interiors that demanded the highest level of craftsmanship. "We got to experience every facet of super yacht building, in terms of cabinetry and fit out and anything working with timber," Ingles explains. This experience laid the foundation for his future endeavours, instilling in him a keen eye for detail and an appreciation for fine materials.

After five years at Alloy Yachts, including stints on international warranty teams, Ingles took to the seas himself, working as crew on superyachts for two years. This experience broadened his horizons, exposing him to even larger vessels and different aspects of the industry. "I worked on a 110-meter boat, and then the owner had another built, which was 156 meters," he says, highlighting the scale of the canvasses on which he developed his skill. 

Upon returning to New Zealand, Ingles found himself at a crossroads. The skills he had honed in the yacht industry were highly specialised, and translating them to land-based work proved challenging. He dabbled in kitchen and wardrobe manufacturing but found the work unfulfilling. "I wasn't enjoying work," he admits. "Compared to working on yachts or even in the workshop at my bench surrounded by machines handling high quality timber, the enthusiasm started to wane."

It was this longing for hands-on work with the best materials that led Ingles to furniture making. Inspired by craftsmen he saw on social media, he began to envision a future where he could combine his technical skills with his growing interest in design. "I couldn't find a job I wanted to do anywhere," he explains, "so I essentially resigned myself to the fact of going, well, I'm going to have to create this for myself."

 This realisation led to the birth of Dietzwood, Ingles' own furniture design and manufacturing business. Operating out of a converted stable on a family property, he began designing pieces that reflected his unique background and aesthetic sensibilities.

Central to Ingles' work is his love for timber, particularly species he had used when fitting superyachts. "I prefer using American oak and ash for my furniture," he notes, "but I'm also interested in experimenting with other timbers like cherry." This preference stems from his appreciation for the natural beauty and character of the wood but also the ability of such species to lend themselves to a high-end finish. 

His recent experiment with American cherry for a bar cart highlights his exploratory approach to materials. "Cherry has this pink hue that darkens over time, which I thought would give another dimension to this piece as it ages”.  Ingles explains, contrasting it with the blonde aesthetic of American white oak that also features in his current portfolio. A willingness to experiment is a hallmark of his work and comes with the confidence of someone who knows he can rely on a solid foundation of high end skills. 

As Ingles continues to develop his craft and business, he faces challenges common to many small business owners in the design world. Balancing custom work with his desire to create his own designs is an ongoing process. "The work I'm doing now is still always the work that I set out to do," he admits. "However, everything is part of a learning experience”. 

Ingles remains committed to his vision of establishing himself as both a designer and a maker. He aspires to create furniture that is not only functional but also beautiful and beautifully made, reflecting his unique journey and perspective.

Looking to the future, Ingles is driven by high expectations for himself and his work. "I want to establish myself as a name, as a person, as a designer, not just a maker," he asserts. This ambition, coupled with his rich background, indisputable eye for quality and deep appreciation for materials positions Dieter Ingles as a rising star in the world of fine furniture design.