About Us - Background

Tony Dickin studied furniture making and upholstery and worked within the industry before taking up a post as Lecturer in Furniture Studies in Nottingham. He began to focus on his passion of furniture restoration and took a year out to study at the prestigious West Dean College near Chichester gaining the British Antique Dealers Association Diploma in Furniture Restoration and Conservation.

After returning to his lecturing post in Nottingham, Tony undertook part time study to achieve an MA in Heritage Studies at Nottingham Trent University. At the same time he co-wrote a BA Hons course in Applied Furniture Studies which covered the specialisms of furniture design, reproduction and restoration.

In the late 1990’s he decided to leave teaching and, with two colleagues, set up a furniture manufacturing company. After four years he left the company to work independently as a maker and restorer.

In recent years he has been able to put his furniture experience to greater use with a part-time role within complaints resolution for the furniture industry.

The seed for DAIS was planted in the mid 1980’s when Tony came across a black and white photograph of a Georgian wine table in an early 20th century furniture book. The image remained strong in the back of his mind until, on a visit with his family to St Emillion in France in 2010, he realised that the Georgian design could be re-born, brought up to date and offered to the wine enthusiast today.

Since September 2010 Tony and his wife, Paula, have worked and built on the idea to create two superb Connoisseur Presentation tables supported by several smaller occasional tables with the classic small top and wide base.

The use of an exquisite DAIS wine table truly does enhance the wine drinking experience. Once you have owned and enjoyed a DAIS wine table you will wonder how you ever managed without one – really they’re that good!

The Company Name

Dais – 'a raised platform or stage'

Oxford dictionaries describe the origin of the word:

"Middle English (originally denoting a raised table for distinguished guests): from Old French deis, from Latin discus 'disc or dish' (later 'table'). Little used after the Middle English period, the word was revived by antiquarians in the early 19th century with the disyllabic pronunciation."

We consider our tables to be the stage on which your favourite wine and glass ware can be presented and enjoyed. With the Connoisseur table there is a performance awaiting; opening, airing, decanting, chilling, selecting, serving, drinking and above all enjoying!