Arch Sideboard with Six Doors by Coucou Manou

British designer-maker Nell Bealle studied furniture design at Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology in the west midlands of England in the early 1990s, and then moved south to work for a woodturning company in Somerset. In 1998, she moved to Brighton and opened a studio under the name of Nell Beale Furniture & Design, which allowed her to produce her own designs on commission for architects and private clients. As her career approached the 20-year mark, in 2012, she found a studio space near Bath and launched her current endeavor, Coucou Manou.

Named for a French way of saying “hello,” combined with the nickname of her daughter, Coucou Manou is dedicated to finely crafted, vibrantly hued cabinets, storage pieces, tables, and smaller objects in wood, all designed by Bealle. The aesthetic strikes a unique balance between simplicity and boldness; tradition and playfulness. Created at the intersection of modern manufacturing and traditional cabinetmaking, every Coucou Manou piece is hand-painted with eco-friendly paints, finished with eco-oils and waxes, and assembled by hand. Bealle invites customers to commission her pieces in custom colors and sizes. 

Based in the UK, Coucou Manou specializes in the design and manufacture of unique and enduring furniture. Designer-owner Nell Beale found inspiration for the project's name from two distinct sources: Coucou after the French word for hello', and Manou after her term of endearment for daughter Manon. Coucou Manou made its debut at the London Design Festival in 2012. Since then Beale has devoted her time to the design and production of colorful, well-made pieces for the home.

Production takes place in a town near Bath, in the west of England. Beale has always been involved in design in some way: she began to experiment with woodworking and other arts quite early, taking courses in photography, stone masonry, and stained glass. She eventually won a spot on an HND design course and trained in furniture making. These unique experiences have had a lasting impact on Coucou Manou's aesthetic: simple, unfussy furniture with playful touches and bold palettes.

When producing her distinctive pieces, Beale combines modern manufacturing techniques with traditional cabinetmaking skills. Every piece is hand-painted, finished with eco-oils and waxes, and assembled by hand in her workshop. All of the paints are eco-friendly, ensuring that this furniture is not only aesthetically but also ethically pleasing.