Vortex table by Arthur Seigneur featuring a straw marquetry top.
So you’ve just been handed the keys for your new home, or the last coat of paint has dried on the kitchen renovation, and you have a space that has been designed just for you – a built response to the needs of your family and lifestyle, and a one-off that will last you long into the future. It is something to be proud of – the result of design and construction working together, as is the case on the more intimate scale of bespoke furniture.
It may seem simple to look at a light fitting or dining table and think, ‘I could make that myself’ – though the reality is the result probably wouldn’t match the picture in your head, no matter how much advice the guy at Bunnings gives you. So how do you translate your own vision of design excellence into something that will last forever?
Well, it is a bit like commissioning an architect to design you a home – first, you need to find the right person for the job. This has become much easier in recent years with ‘match-making’ websites popping up to connect designers and makers across the country with those holding a more bespoke desire. Discussing your ideas with your architect or builder is also a good way to start the process, as they may be able to help incorporate your thoughts into the overall project.
A custom record player cabinet by Christopher Nicholson of Forest Furniture in Wollongong.
Second is the realisation that, while you may know what you want, it still needs to be ‘designed’. Unless you moonlight as a CAD operator, that sketch on the back of a napkin isn’t going to help when it comes time to cut the timber. To create a stable table or chair requires precision from the outset, so a solid set of drawings is essential.
Then there is the object itself, and your personal aesthetic. This is where the right choice of designer/maker is crucial. The two most important considerations here are location and style. Finding someone local to make your dream a reality will save you time, money and a lot of headaches, as you will be able to meet with them during the process and delivery becomes much easier. Finding that local person who also has a style you like may be a little harder, but it is also important – you wouldn’t ask Gaudi to design you a minimalist home and the same is true in furniture.
The other alternative is to ask for a custom version of an existing design. Most designer/makers will be happy to extend the length of a table or finish a bed in different way, and it can be a cheaper option than a fully bespoke piece. If the designer says it can’t be done, however, then they no doubt have a good reason for saying so.
Events like Design-Made in Sydney are a great place to discover new talents.
And, when it comes to saying no, it is best not to present a joiner or furniture maker with an image of someone else’s work in the hope they can make you that exact thing. Aside from being insulting, it is also immoral and the majority of quality furniture makers will politely suggest you go elsewhere.
To help you on your way, you could start with these two sites that will connect you with a creator of your choice and help guide the process:
There are also educational institutions that house highly skilled makers working in timber, metal and glass:
And finally exhibitions like these are a great place to discover new talent from all corners of the country:
WRITTEN BY HouseLab
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