Finding a craftsman or artisan to create a one-off heirloom for your home is a rewarding process, and it needn’t be daunting. A truly bespoke piece of furniture is a collaboration between client and maker. This labour of love results in an exquisitely made possession as individual as its owner, and nothing elevates an interior like custom, artisanal design pieces.
But when it comes to commissioning a piece of furniture, where should you start? We speak with Alexander Shepel, founder of the multi-brand design studio and bespoke furniture-making business, SHEPEL’. With more than a decade of experience in the industry, Alexander explains how to commission bespoke furniture and the benefits it can bring.
Why should I invest in a piece of bespoke furniture?
By going bespoke, you can create pieces that perfectly suit your unique tastes, needs, lifestyle and environment. Whilst one-off pieces can be expensive compared to mass-produced furniture, the quality and longevity of hand-crafted items will far outlive that of high street options.
A bespoke piece can be the answer to practical problems, such as unusual layouts. We often craft joinery to solve design dilemmas which can’t be resolved with existing, off-the-shelf pieces. Commissioning something hand-crafted also presents the opportunity to support a maker you believe in and back a small business, rather than a ‘fast-furniture’ manufacturer.
What should I prioritise when commissioning a piece of bespoke furniture?
Case goods, like wardrobes and kitchen cabinets are at the top of the list when it comes to investing in custom design. When tailored to your home, these can stretch up to the ceiling and fit into awkward nooks, maximising every inch of storage space, and helping you to be more organised – whilst syncing perfectly with your existing design style.
If you’re contemplating designing a bespoke kitchen, always consider how your kitchen will need to evolve with your lifestyle. Your needs and tastes might change over time. Design your kitchen with the future in mind. Think about elements like adjustable shelving or multi-functional spaces that can adapt as your life changes.
How can I create a design brief?
One of the important parts of our work is identifying the desires and needs of the client through conversation about their habits and hobbies. We’ll ask you exactly where the piece is going to go and what functions it will need to fulfil. We’ll ask things like, do you anticipate this item getting a lot of use, or will it be more ornamental?
Next, we’ll explore your personal style and aesthetic preferences, asking questions such as: Is there a period you like or a particular design movement that speaks to you? Which materials do you find appealing? We’ll ask you to think about other pieces of furniture you have loved, and which design details you might like to incorporate into a new piece. We’ll also need to understand how important this piece is within the room as a whole – do you want it to be the star of the show or a functional object that blends into the background?
How can I make sure I choose the right maker?
A good furniture maker will take care of everything, personally visiting your space to take all the necessary measurements and get a feel for your style. We determine proper scale and sizing for your piece based on the layout of the room and your personal preferences. For bookcases, wardrobes, and sideboards, consider what you plan to store inside. This will guide our plans for shelf heights and drawer sizes.
Celebrating International Women’s Day
What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by hearing the thoughts and opinions of some of the spectacular female voices from within the BBB community? From women supporting other women to achieve their dreams and shining a light on those who deserve to be seen to carving out an equal and inviting space for future generations, these words are powerful, inspirational and deserve to be heard. International Women’s Day is our moment to reflect on the pioneering women who paved the way, take stock of where we are today, and look ahead to the future we strive to reach…
“Being a woman in business and life these days is absolutely wonderful as we are at the cusp of seeing real change for the better with regards to how women are perceived and treated in every sphere of life. We need to embrace our remarkable feminine energy and power, standing together as women and also with men, recognising their struggles too, moving forward together into a new era of mutual respect and conscious power, making the world a more equal and better place for all.” – Linda Hugo, Beyond Curated
“The Soke came to be thanks largely to the support of some formidable women who, on hearing of the concept, provided not just moral but also financial support to get it off the ground. Today, about 60% of our investment comes from women and I’m proud to attribute The Soke’s success to the conviction of a group who had no hesitation in putting their money where their mouths were. Long may such women believe in, and give a hand up to, the rest of us.” – Maryam Meddin, The Soke
“Although I tend to be sceptical about these celebratory days, International Women’s Day does give me the opportunity to reflect upon all the wonderful women who touch and have touched my life. To reminisce about women who helped shape my life with wise counsel, colleagues who supported me I them as we navigated male dominated workplaces. Friends who were there for me, and I for them, when we had children, got divorced, faced personal battles. What a truly wonderful bunch of women. I shall raise a glass to you all today.” – Sasha Speed, Financial Coach
“International Women’s Day is an important day to focus on celebrating and cheering each other on. I’m a big believer in collaboration over competition and we should continue to raise each other up. I don’t know who wrote this but I’ve always loved this quote ‘Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.'” – Flip Dewar, Director, Organised Chaos Management
“To quote Michelle Obama ‘there is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish’ and today on International Women’s Day this should be celebrated!” – Kirsty Tucker, SORTED Personal Management
“Even though there have been huge steps in recent years to acknowledge and celebrate female artists globally, there is still a long way to go in terms of fully recognising the importance of women in the history of art. I therefore enjoy using International Women’s Day as a chance to promote female artists whose work I love and collect personally, or to spotlight some lesser known female artists from the past. Of course, in addition to this, the day is always a celebration of the wonderful women in my life!” – Sarah Talbot Capes, Talbot Capes Ltd.
“Reflecting on International Women’s Day, I reflect on the most inspiring women, who, with self belief, hard work, sacrifice, sheer determination and dedication have paved the way for myself, and every female, to believe we can do whatever we want to do. I want all women to know that with passion, love, hard work, and self-confidence, we have the power to make our biggest dreams come true.” – Amie True, Harpist
“I would like my daughter and my niece to grow up in a world where they can be powerful and strong, fierce even, without having to compromise their femininity. I’d like to spend this International Women’s Day respecting all men AND women in business. We’re teammates. Let’s do this.” – Naomi Astley Clarke, Luxury London Interior Designer
“We have come a long way, but in a world that is still so biased against women, it’s more than important than ever to stand up. I’m so inspired by the women in my family, they are fearless, strong and beautifully unique. I am proud to be a woman and I hope I can live like them. A quote that’s as relevant now as when it was written, by the iconic Maya Angelou ‘I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass’.” – Alex Popoff, BBB Events & Partnerships
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for talent and creating a modern workplace. Our journey over the past 25 years has been defined by the versatility, intelligence and brilliance of the women who have been part of the PuRe team. As we look to the future, we are committed to building on this legacy, creating an office where all individuals, regardless of gender or background, can thrive and succeed.” – Cara Ward, Co-Founder and Director of PuRe PR
“A time to appreciate the strength of the feminine; her ability to let go of control! To be in the ‘not knowing’ and still she shares her heart. This is true courage and true strength.” – Faye Reason, Energy Worker
“Celebrating International Women’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the progress that has been made towards gender equality and to recognise the achievements of women in every sector. It’s also a reminder of the ongoing work still needed to address imbalances and promote inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of society. Women supporting one another is as crucial now as ever, on our journey towards attaining true equality and empowerment.” – Zoe Hoffman, BBB Health & Wellbeing Host
Keeping Your Home Safe & Secure With UMBRA
As BBB’s Home and Garden theme for the month of March blossoms, it’s crucial to consider not just the aesthetics of your living space but also its security. At UMBRA HQ, we understand the importance of feeling safe and secure in your home, allowing you to fully enjoy the tranquillity of your sanctuary. Here are five top secure lifestyle tips for enhancing residential security, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones – wherever you live.
First Line of Defence
Strengthen the security of your home by fortifying entry points such as doors and windows. Install sturdy locks, deadbolts, and strike plates, and consider upgrading to smart locks for added convenience and control. Window locks and security bars provide additional protection, preventing unauthorised access to your home. A concealed safe and a ‘fake safe’ are two items increasingly being requested by clients who want to ensure that their internal and external security is intact.
Community Safety
Our favourite tip for the cost conscious is the free to set up a humble Whatsapp Group! Foster a sense of community and mutual support by participating in or establishing a neighbourhood watch program. Collaborate with your neighbours to keep an eye out for suspicious activities and share information about security concerns. By working together, you can create a safer environment for everyone in your community – and in a worst case scenario be able to pool resources/camera footage to send to law enforcement to help wider public safety.
Green Guards
While lush greenery enhances the beauty of your garden, it’s essential to maintain landscaping in a way that doesn’t compromise visibility. Trim shrubs and bushes near windows and doors to eliminate potential hiding spots for intruders. Clear sightlines allow you to monitor your property effectively and discourage covert entry attempts. However, a secure perimeter can easily be hidden by a high dense hedge line – we love working with landscape architects to produce these ‘Green Guards’!
Smart Home Systems
Embrace the power of technology by installing smart home security systems. These systems offer a range of features, including motion detection, video surveillance, and remote monitoring via smartphone apps. With real-time alerts and the ability to control your home’s security from anywhere, smart systems provide an invaluable layer of protection and peace of mind.
Light Up Your Property
Illuminate the exterior of your home and garden to deter potential intruders. Motion-activated lights are particularly effective, as they surprise and discourage unwanted visitors. By keeping your property well-lit during the night, you not only enhance security but also create a welcoming ambiance for evening gatherings in your garden.
By implementing these top tips, you can create a home and garden where tranquillity thrives alongside safety. At UMBRA, we believe that everyone deserves to feel secure in their living space, enabling them to fully enjoy the comforts of home and the beauty of nature. For more tips check out our Secure Lifestyle Toolkit and follow us @umbrainternational.