THE PERFECT RESULT Designers detail

The PERFECTresult

Introduce unique style and overcome a host of design problems by commissioning bespoke furnishings and finishes

De Gournay creates fi ne hand-painted and hand-embroidered wallcoverings, working to a specifi c brief for each client. Shown here is its Chatsworth chinoiserie design, painted on 12-carat white gold gilded paper, from £1,166 a panel (915mm width).

Opting for a custom-made design is to open up a world in which – quite literally – anything is possible. Wallcoverings, joinery, storage pieces, upholstery and many kinds of finishing touches can all be specified and individually made to suit practical and aesthetic requirements, achieve historical accuracy, fit awkward areas and, above all, express individual taste and style.

A WORLD OF WALLCOVERINGS

“Going bespoke means it is possible to include elements that make a scheme look like it’s been done by an interior designer,” say Michelle Katz and Josie Lywood of Q Design House. “Bespoke allows you to bring everything together.”

One of these elements, vital for creating a seamless look within a decorating scheme, is colour co-ordination, whether to match existing or proposed furnishings or fabrics, or for historical accuracy within a period property. To either end, it is perfectly straightforward to have paints mixed to an exact colour, a service offered by many paint retailers, both mainstream and at the higher end of the market. This may involve a home visit by a colour expert for an assessment of space, light and corresponding furnishings, or it is often possible to take a scrap of paint or fabric, or even a personal item into the premises to be scanned and colour-matched by a machine called a spectrophotometer. Similarly, some wallpaper manufacturers offer designs custom-coloured to suit specific requirements. It is even possible to have ceramic tiles made specifically for a particular project, to suit a Victorian fire surround, for example, or as a decorative contemporary fixture.

For some spaces a scenic wallcovering may be the answer, custom-made to suit in terms of period, size, design and colour. Printed, painted and embroidered tableaux and panoramas are hugely impressive and work especially well in grand, historic properties, adding dynamism and depth, and even helping conceal flaws and amend proportions. They are often based on historical sources but can be adapted in terms of scale, colourways, scenes and 

RIGHT Watts of Westminster’s Tableaux Scéniques are antique woven tapestries and hand-painted papers transcribed into digitally printed panoramic textiles and wallpapers. They can be made in different colourways and scales, with and without fi gures, and printed onto different substrates. Shown here is the Wolterton Verdure tapestry in the Glenmore colourway, printed on grasscloth.

BESPOKE BRANDS

A few starting points for wallcoverings: De Gournay wallpaper Fromental wallpaper Valspar paint Coat paint H & E Smith tiles

RIGHT Little Greene’s bespoke Colour Consultancy service offers the opportunity to work with the brand to recreate historical shades as well as create entirely new bespoke colours. LEFT This elegant bathroom by Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors features Richmond Trellis wallpaper in a bespoke colourway by Hamilton Weston, whose wallpapers can all be custom coloured. The company also develops designs from clients’ vintage fabrics, maps, prints, photographs, drawings or artefacts.

material to suit each individual use depending on the room’s dimensions, architectural features and furniture.

There are also wallcovering companies that can print customers’ own designs, based on, for example, antique maps, favourite prints or photographs, a length of vintage fabric or a favourite artefact. These can easily be scaled to suit any room and offer the opportunity to create a highly personal impact and atmosphere.

Another option for uniquely enhancing a space and stamping one’s personality is to commission an artist to hand paint a mural or special-effect finish. Children’s bedrooms inevitably spring to mind when considering this, but in fact anything imaginable is possible, from Grecian pillars to a trompe l’oeil butterfly. Whilst large murals are undoubtedly dramatic, decorative finishes such as woodgrain, marbling or gilding can be highly versatile, blending beautifully with other features within the room.

ABOVE Tile specialist Craven Dunnill Jackfield offers hand-carved and decorated tiles, and a glaze- and colourmatching service for walls or floors in need of restoration. RIGHT Charlie Horner Design commissioned River Bespoke to make this solid oak dining table, working closely with the owners to ensure the table was formal yet family friendly. ABOVE The Sophie Settee by Max Rollitt is handmade using traditional techniques. Fabric, finish and dimensions can all be adjusted according to requirements. LEFT The Colourist Furniture collection by Georgie Wykeham Designs includes the Scallop console table shown here. All pieces can be painted to suit a client’s interior.

FURNITURE MADE INDIVIDUALLY

There are several reasons why commissioning bespoke furniture – including upholstery, beds, tables and chairs, desks, chests of drawers and all kinds of other pieces – can benefit a scheme. In addition, it is generally better quality and rarely a great deal more expensive than buying off the shelf.

For some, buying bespoke may be driven by the need to replicate an antique piece, perhaps to create a pair or to complete a dining set; for others, it is often a case of wanting something that is unique and personal, designed and made to an exact and individual specification. A special requirement such as a deep sofa for a tall couple, or a certain type of storage for a prized collection, could be the motivation, or it could be that the architecture of the house concerned dictates what works best within it, be that a slender, mirrored console for a dark, narrow hallway, or a grand dining table for a spacious room. “Scaling is a great advantage of making bespoke furniture,” says Katie Glaister, co-founder K&H Design. “You can get something that’s the perfect size, which is crucial for the harmony of a carefully constructed room. You can also create a certain style, such as contemporary piece that works well in a classical room.”

Katz and Lywood explain that they almost invariably have sofas made bespoke for their clients. “Normal sofas come in standard dimensions, but rooms don’t, and it can make a very big difference to have that extra five or ten centimetres to work with, especially in a wonky house. When you do things bespoke, you design in advance and then spend the money, so you don’t end up wasting money on things 

RIGHT In this open-plan space by Christopher Peters Bespoke Kitchens & Interiors, the blue and natural oak storage unit complements the kitchen cabinetry and links the kitchen with the dining area.

BESPOKE BRANDS

Furniture makers offering a customised service

The Sofa & Chair Company Beaudesert Beaumont & Fletcher William Yeoward Savoir Beds

Fiona McDonald Makes offers bespoke furniture made in the UK and lighting and mirrors hand-crafted in Italy. Shown here are the Cosmo cabinet and Caspar armchair and footstool.

ABOVE Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Company offers the option to customise its products. Each bed is individually made to order by master craftsmen at its workshop on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Shown here is the new Willow bed, from £3,215 for a double.

that don’t work.” Custom-made furniture can also balance the sometimes tricky choice between comfort and aesthetics, they add. “We send our clients to sit on sofas to see what seat depth and height, arm height and so on they like best, so there is no sacrificing what the sofa looks like versus what’s comfortable to sit on.”

Considering comfort, a bespoke bed can be the perfect solution for good looks as well as a good night’s sleep. Henriette von Stockhausen, co-founder and creative director of VSP Interiors, explains that a custom-made four-poster bed can be particularly welcome in a country house with cavernous, high-ceilinged rooms. Her designs are often based on antique four-poster frames but made wider for modern requirements, and also taller to keep satisfying proportions.

“Our range can be made with elaborate carvings or in simple Georgian style, fully upholstered or bare, painted or lacquered, metal, mirror or wrapped in fabric,” she says. “Anything is possible, but in essence they all do the same thing, which is to create extra comfort and a sanctuary, a room within a room – a good night’s rest being more important than ever in our fast-moving lives.”

ABOVE Jeffreys Interiors turned a sizeable spare bedroom into a luxurious dressing room with solid oak cabinetry built and hand-painted by Sculleries of Stockbridge. The delicate blossom branch handles are by Michael Aram. RIGHT Michelle Katz of Q Design House commissioned a bespoke sofa to fit this cinema room, and custom shelving with concealed LED lighting and wallpaper at the back to create interest.

BESPOKE BRANDS

A selection of expert joinery service suppliers Christopher Peters Neville Johnson Smallbone Bisca

TOP & ABOVE RIGHT This London home office was designed and made by luxury bespoke furniture specialists Gosling. The desk has been built around the radiator under the window and flows into the bookshelves to create a visually harmonious room. ABOVE LEFT The mirror-panelled walls of this bathroom by Azelle Design reflect light and create impact. They were designed and handmade by Dominic Schuster. LEFT With high-level cupboards and low-level shoe shelves, plus a bench seat and hooks for coats, hats and tack, this bespoke boot room by Davonport was created to suit the home owner’s specific requirements. Bespoke designs by Davonport start from £35,000.

BUILT-IN SOLUTIONS

Bespoke joinery and other built-in options can be the answer to all sorts of intractable problems, especially lack of storage space, as well as offering an opportunity to add character. There should be no need to compromise on style or practical requirements.

“Bespoke designs, unlike freestanding furniture, enable you to make the most of every bit of available space in your home – be that a perfectly fitted, full-length wall of impactful wardrobes, or working around more awkward architectural features such as sloped ceilings, chimney breasts and alcoves,” says Philipp Nagel, director of bespoke wardrobe company Neatsmith. “Choosing bespoke not only creates furniture that completely fits in your home, but it also maximises all the available storage opportunities.”

From media storage, bookcases, wardrobes or entire rooms, bespoke joinery can be designed to complement elements such as mouldings and architraves, correct odd proportions, create symmetry, integrate lighting, disguise unattractive features and integrate seamlessly into the home. Whether commissioned from a local tradesperson, a national company or through an interior designer, it is like a perfectly tailored, handmade suit – subtly but perfectly complementary.

Other built-in options beyond joinery are also worth considering. Wall-to-wall mirroring, for example, satisfies a practical requirement in a bathroom or dressing room, will bounce light around a room and – if made from beautiful antique or gilded glass – add depth and interest, too.

Balustrades are relatively easy to replace, completely changing the look of a staircase, perhaps with feature newels and even, if space permits, tailored bottom treads. The most common way of dramatically transforming the look of a hallway and staircase is to replace traditional timber spindles with glass – for a contemporary look – or steel uprights, which can be modern or traditional in style.

Even bathware can be adapted to desired sizes or finishes, work better within the space, accommodate taller or shorter people, offer more practicality or co-ordinate with existing fittings.

FINISHING TOUCHES

The ultimate advantage of buying bespoke is, of course, the ability to personalise, to own something unique, created individually to an exact design of choice. Custom pieces can also provide delightful finishing touches, whether in the form of a light fitting, a headboard, a cushion trim, a rug or even a small cupboard knob.

Interiors professionals will often specify cushions, for example, to achieve perfectly complementary shapes, sizes, colours and patterns, down to the details of an edging of coloured piping or perfectly sized corner tassels. A rug can be resized in order to suit the floor plan of a room and the furnishings within it (or entirely new rugs can be made to a customer’s design). Even window and door hardware can be made to size, style or in a particular material.

Lamp shades can be made in particular fabrics, or with the addition of a silver or gold card lining, for example, and headboards – often the source of the ‘wow factor’ in a bedroom – can be made in virtually any desired size, using unlimited choices of fabrics and detailing.

“The luxury interiors market allows consumers to indulge their aesthetic preferences and offers unique, bespoke and luxurious experiences, says Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin. “Increasingly, customers want individual and personalised pieces that are a true reflection of their personality, as this is what makes the difference between a house and a home. Our customers want flexible and adaptable pieces of furniture that fit with their homes and lifestyles. From custom headboards to sectional sofas, uniqueness and function are top of the agenda. On a smaller scale, clients are opting for bespoke accessories, from rugs and cushions to mirrors and lampshades, to inject individuality into their homes without overhauling their interior scheme.”

As an example of personalisation, one of K&H Design’s recent projects included a bedroom light fitting with metal ‘leaves’, onto which the dates of birth of the clients’ children were engraved.

“Our clients want something that’s unique to them, and when commissioning bespoke they can put onto their wish list the little details they want, which is just not possible if you buy from a shop,” says Glaister. “We create these individual pieces, and in turn they tell a story and become future heirlooms. That’s the fun thing about interior design, it’s about really listening to everybody and then making it work through bespoke.” n

ABOVE A statement headboard can transform a bedroom. Andrew Martin has a range of custom designs such as this Prescott model and they can be made to order in a variety of styles, sizes and fabrics, either from Andrew Martin’s range or a client’s own fabric.

Final flourishes that can be tailored to suit Samuel & Sons Watts of Westminster Cox London Looking Glass of Bath The Rug Company

ABOVE This drawing room by Nicky Dobree includes bespoke joinery, seating, curtains, blinds, elegant oval brass window handles, and a Kelly Wearstler rug made by The Rug Company to a custom size. LEFT The Ealing Pendant from David Hunt Lighting can be sprayed in any colour of choice by the company’s custom service. ABOVE RIGHT Passementerie specialist Samuel & Sons offers a semi-custom and a full-custom service which offers trimmings tailored to the specification. RIGHT Architectural ironmongery firm Croft offers a bespoke design service. From the initial idea, the team develops computer renderings and 3D-printed samples before crafting each piece. BESPOKE BRANDS

For final flourishes that are tailored to suit Samuel & Sons Watts of Westminster Cox London Looking Glass of Bath The Rug Company

THE ENGLISH HOME 87

THE STORY OF BARNES OF ASHBURTON

CRAFTED FOR LIFE

A commitment to traditional joinery techniques and cabinet-making at Barnes of Ashburton’s workshop in Devon ensures its designs endure for generations to come

When furniture designer Patrick Gunning decided to turn his hand to creating handmade, bespoke kitchens in 1980, he was unwavering in his vision for the business. He had two priorities: to use traditional joinery techniques and make the highest-quality cabinetry – both of which remain at the heart of his company, Barnes of Ashburton, 40 years on.

Gunning is still involved in the business, but 10 years ago he decided to step back and focus on his passion for music. He knew, however, that he would be leaving the day-to-day running of the company in safe hands – the team now in charge have all worked there for many years and the brand’s ethos is as strong as ever.

Kim Whinnett, director, says, “At Barnes of Ashburton it has always been about the craftsmanship. In today’s world the demand for things to be made quickly and cheaply means kitchens can lack the quality and longevity of a more traditional approach. We offer a lifetime guarantee because we have complete confidence our kitchens will last.” This confidence comes from using the strongest wood-joining technique – the traditional, hand-crafted morticeand-tenon joint. This is where one piece of wood is inserted into a corresponding hole in another piece of wood at 90 degrees.

Today, like other purveyors of fine kitchen craftsmanship, Barnes of Ashburton has moved into making cabinetry for other areas of the home – from living rooms and bedrooms to studies and boot rooms – with the same attention to detail.

Over the years, the company has designed, built and installed kitchens and other cabinetry in a staggering array of properties, from luxurious seaside developments to historic buildings. “We pride ourselves on making kitchens that enhance your home. We are as happy working within the irregularities of an old period building as the dramatic designs of modern architecture,” Whinnett says.

All the kitchens and cabinetry are made from scratch in the company’s Devon workshop. Typically, the process begins with a site visit so the designers can get a feel for the client’s home, before budget, timescale, style and specific needs are discussed. The spaces are measured meticulously, taking into account everything from irregular walls and ceiling beams to uneven floors.

“A new kitchen is a major investment, but because the kitchens are made by hand, we have absolute control of costs and can tweak the design so we always stay within your budget,” says Whinett. “In most houses these days, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it is vital that the space really works for the family. It’s all about ensuring there is ample storage and the best use of space. Kitchens are for so much more than cooking these days, so need to work as a place to relax and entertain, too.”

Though craftsmanship is at the core of what Barnes of Ashburton does, the company knows that alongside the bespoke, hand-crafted elements of the kitchen, customers these days also want all the mod cons. It has strong relationships with leading appliance manufacturers as well as worktop and lighting suppliers.

With so much of its business coming through word of mouth, it is the personal touch that seems to set Barnes of Ashburton apart. It is proud of its history and encourages all its customers to visit its workshop in Devon to really see the heart of the business and the attention to detail that goes into every aspect of a new kitchen. The company’s successful traditional approach seems to demonstrate that sometimes the old ways are the best. n

ABOVE Classic-style kitchen, hand-painted in Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue and Porphyry Pink, from £36,000. FAR LEFT Boot room with solid oak pull-out boot and shoe storage, from £24,000. LEFT Secret door and passageway to the kitchen, from £5,400. OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT Dog bed incorporated within cabinetry, from £960. Window seat with internal storage, from £1,800. Classic-style bedroom furniture, with solid oak dressing table top and internals, from £15,000.