Bespoke solutions

Offering the answer to a variety of design problems, both functional and aesthetic, bespoke furnishings can be employed to fit awkwardly shaped spaces, complement existing decor, replicate or complement antiques, perform a specific function or fulfil a personal vision. Whether required to blend in or stand out, these pieces may range from joinery that spans the uneven walls of an old house to furniture created for a specific space within a new extension. Much like the way in which a tailor-made outfit transcends fashion, a high-quality, bespoke item will be a beautiful, much-loved and long-lasting investment.

LARGE CABINETS

Cabinet by Elicyon, made by Rochford Joinery

To suit the modern architecture of a Westminster penthouse, Charu Gandhi, director of Elicyon, commissioned a cabinet that combines a striking wood veneer with bold lacquer. “We wanted a piece that was vintage-inspired but with a contemporary twist,” she says. “We loved the mappa burr veneer, and we also had a specific cherry red we wanted for the accent lacquer. In terms of overall design, this veneer is often found on 1920s furniture, but instead of typically bold, angular forms, we preferred softer curves. Working with Rochford Joinery, based in London, enabled us to select the specific veneer bundles in person, and also to develop the design in the workshop with the craftsmen, manufacturing in a very short lead time to a high level of quality,” says Charu, concluding: “It’s a very successful piece, a fusion of period styles creating something which is timeless.”

Peter Kasakov, project manager at Rochford Joinery, explains that it took about three weeks to make the cabinet, using a combination of computer-controlled machinery and hand-making. It was often a tricky process as the mappa burr veneer, which is limited in supply and comes in small leaves, is difficult to work with. “It is very hard and wavy when raw, so has to be soaked in a special solution to