Magnificent, Four Paths furniture maker strides despite losing use of legs

Anastasia Cunningham, Senior Gleaner Writer

Although forced to depend on a wheelchair for his mobility for the past 17 years, Balfore Tulloch has been using his hands to create some of the most beautiful pieces of antique designed furniture Jamaica has produced.

Working from his own designs and inspired by interesting ideas, Tulloch has handcrafted pieces to furnish an entire house, all from his workshop at the back of his home in Four Paths, Clarendon.

All creations unlike seen anywhere before, he has made small items such as ashtrays in the shape of a pipe, meat boards, bowls, lamps, flowerpots, mirror and photo frames and penholders, to the larger living-room chairs, patio sets, chests of drawers, bedheads and bases, dining-room sets, hassocks, dressers, closets, doors, French windows, you name it.

His designs are all of an antique slant because "I just love it! I love antique furniture and creating them in my own designs".

Clients sometimes come to him with their own designs, but quite often they leave it up to his judgement.

And word is getting around. People have been talking about "the wheelchair man who makes good furniture".

The skilled craftsman uses only the best material, whether it be mahogany, cedar, blue mahoe or guango. "Never ever superboard. I hate it," he declared.

Watching Tulloch go about his day hard at work is a marvel. Living by the philosophy to just take things one day at a time, he wheels his chair around from each workstation with ease. Whether fine-tuning the sketch for his next creation, carving out the design on a work in progress or working the machines to cut down the lumber, Tulloch is not the least bit hampered by his disability.

The soft gel cushion in his chair gives him the much-needed comfort to work a full eight-hour day, sometimes seven days per week and into the night if the workload is heavy.

He, however, is quick to point out that "this journey is not an easy one in the chair. You have to have good determination and focus".

Furniture making has been Tulloch's trade for the past 40 years until tragedy struck in 1993. He was involved in a major car accident which left him paralysed from the waist down. The accident not just robbed him of the use of his legs, but his spirit and zest for life as well.

For six years, Tulloch locked himself away, putting away his tools. He had no desire for anything.

"I was depressed. The only thing I kept asking myself was why God made this happen to me," said Tulloch.

It took good friend attorney-at-law Bert Samuels to snap him out of it.

"He kept encouraging me to forget the past and use up what was left. He told me it didn't make sense going over what had happened," he said.

Eventually, Tulloch realised the wisdom in Samuels' words and rediscovered his passion. He started with just some small-craft items, then progressively worked his way up to the larger stuff, creating even more elegant designer pieces than before.

Tulloch now has a handful of exclusive clientele, but his big dream is to set up his own furniture store one day, taking pride in supplying Jamaica with finely made furniture of the highest quality at quite reasonable prices.

He already has the talent and the creativity. "I just need the start," he said.

During the busy periods, he also provides employment for up to five persons. The woodcrafter, who once taught woodwork at the Four Paths Community Centre before the accident, now has apprentices whom he teaches at his home-based shop. For the past two years, Leonard Walker has been working with Tulloch to learn the finer aspects of the trade.

Married with four grown children and nine grandchildren, the 59-year-old is also an avid music lover, who once operated the popular Echo Force sound system. These days, he still plays out with a smaller version of the sound system at weddings, anniversaries and parties for close friends.

Tulloch is also a skilled contractor, having built his own home in Four Paths some 20 years ago.

anastasia.cunningham @gleanerjm.com